Pix: NSCDC CG, Prof. Ahmed Audi

By Samson Ike,Abuja

The Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Prof. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, mni, OFR, has approved the deployment of 10,210 personnel, including specialised tactical units, to Osun State ahead of the forthcoming governorship election.

The large-scale deployment is aimed at strengthening security across the state and ensuring a peaceful, credible and violence-free electoral process. The operation is scheduled to commence on Monday, with personnel drawn from 10 neighbouring state commands and the Federal Capital Territory.

According to the NSCDC, the deployment is part of efforts to guarantee the safety of voters, electoral officials, election observers, journalists and other stakeholders participating in the poll. The Corps said it is committed to providing a secure environment that will enable citizens to exercise their democratic rights without fear, intimidation or harassment.

The reinforcement team comprises both uniformed and undercover operatives from Oyo, Ondo, Ekiti, Ogun, Lagos, Kwara, Edo, Kogi, Delta states and the Federal Capital Territory, with approximately 1,000 officers deployed from each command to support personnel already on ground in Osun State.

To bolster security operations, the Commandant General also ordered the deployment of several specialised formations, including the Commandant General’s Special Intelligence Squad (SIS), the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Unit, the Specialised Female Squad, Mining Marshals, the Special Strike Force, the Crack Squad and the K-9 Unit.

The specialised teams are expected to provide intelligence gathering, surveillance, crowd management, crime prevention and protection of critical national assets and infrastructure, while supporting other security responsibilities during the election period.

To ensure effective supervision and coordination of operations, the Deputy Commandant General in charge of Operations, DCG Ayuba Phillip, alongside designated Assistant Commandants General and other senior officers, will relocate to Osun State to oversee the Corps’ election security arrangements.

Prof. Audi assured residents of Osun State that NSCDC personnel would conduct themselves professionally, impartially and in strict compliance with the law throughout the electoral process.

He emphasized that the protection of election materials, electoral officials and voters remains a critical responsibility of the Corps, adding that officers have been adequately briefed on the need to maintain neutrality and uphold democratic principles.

The NSCDC boss also directed personnel to work closely with other security agencies on election duty to ensure seamless coordination and effective response to any security threat that may arise before, during or after the election.

He warned that the Corps, in collaboration with other security agencies, would not tolerate any attempt to disrupt the electoral process, stressing that political thugs, criminal elements and individuals seeking to undermine the election would be dealt with in accordance with the provisions of the Electoral Act and other relevant laws.

The NSCDC further appealed to political parties, candidates, supporters and residents of the state to conduct themselves peacefully and avoid actions capable of threatening public order or the integrity of the election.

The Corps reiterated its commitment to working closely with the Nigeria Police Force, the Armed Forces and other sister security agencies under the established inter-agency security framework to ensure effective security coverage across Osun State’s 30 local government areas.

Prof. Audi also urged residents to remain vigilant and cooperate with security personnel throughout the election period, while encouraging members of the public to promptly report suspicious activities or security concerns to the appropriate authorities.

He expressed confidence that the combined efforts of security agencies and law-abiding citizens would contribute to a peaceful, free, fair and credible governorship election in Osun State.