The Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Dr. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, has deployed 6,433 officers and men for the upcoming Edo State Governorship Election. Dr. Audi emphasized the importance of professionalism, discipline, and neutrality during the election, urging the officers to remain apolitical while carrying out their duties.
He highlighted the crucial role of the NSCDC in protecting critical national assets and infrastructure, as well as securing both sensitive and non-sensitive election materials before, during, and after the voting process.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the Corps’ National Public Relations Officer, CSC Afolabi Babawale, noted that over 300 operatives each will be deployed from Ondo, Delta, Kogi, Osun, Imo, and Enugu Commands. Edo State Command has a workforce of about 3,626 officers on the ground, while 400 and 350 personnel will be drafted from Rivers and Bayelsa State Commands, respectively.
Additionally, 607 Special Forces will be deployed from the NSCDC National Headquarters, including personnel from the Commandant General’s Special Intelligence Squad, the Special Female Squad, the Anti-Vandal Squad, and the Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Explosive Unit. The Kennel (K9) Unit has also been mobilized to support security efforts during the election.
Quoting the Commandant General, the statement added:
“Our deployment for the Edo Governorship Election will cover all nooks and crannies, including flash points. Since we do not have a general election, we have enough personnel to deploy across Wards, Polling units, Collation centres, INEC offices and other areas.
“All Personnel deployed are to work in synergy with other security agencies to ensure a peaceful conduct of the election; the special forces and Anti vandal squad are to ensure the protection of government facilities and infrastructure with more attention paid to the identified flashpoints and volatile areas.
“Notably, the undercover officers have been deployed few days to the election to maintain round-the-clock surveillance and provide up-to-date intelligence report and real-time security situation from all the 18 local governments in Edo State.
“Let me use this opportunity to enjoin politicians not to heat the polity unnecessarily. You are also advised to shun all forms of violence, thuggery, snatching of ballot boxes and any other form of electoral malpractices that could disrupt the peaceful conduct of the election.
“It is very vital to also warn in strong terms that parents and guardians should keep their children from being used as instruments of violence or being sponsored by desperate politicians to cause mayhem and electoral violence as those arrested would be charged accordingly in compliance with the extant laws”.
The Commandant General has instructed the Deputy Commandant General in charge of Operations, DCG Philip Ayuba, to oversee the overall supervision, monitoring, and coordination of the deployed personnel before, during, and after the elections. This directive is aimed at ensuring a smooth and effective security operation throughout the election period.
