The Commandant General (CG), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Ahmed Audi has sanctioned the deployment of no less than 22, 600 personnel of the Corps for the off-cycle governorship elections slated for November 11 2023 in Kogi, Imo and Bayelsa States.
A Statement signed by the National Public Relations Officer, NSCDC National Headquarters, Abuja, Babawale Afolabi, revealed that Officers and men who form the fulcrum have been charged by the Commandant General to maintain high ethical standards, discipline, professional conduct and remain apolitical.
The Statement underscored the commitment of the NSCDC Boss to support democratic governance and processes, adding the deployment is to provide water-tight security for the electorate, officials, other stakeholders, and sensitive and non-sensitive materials before, during and after the exercise in collaboration with other relevant stakeholders.
The Commandant General called on residents of the three focal states to cooperate with the NSCDC and sister agencies and shun any act capable of thwarting the strategic plans put on the ground for the peaceful conduct of the elections and causing a breach of peace or damage to critical national assets and infrastructure.
He warned against any act of thuggery, ballot box snatching, and other acts that could mar the exercise, just as he called on politicians to caution their supporters, emphasizing that sabotage will not be condoned.
“The Corps made the mass deployment in the affected states where elections are to be held. Our personnel are adequately briefed on how to discharge their duties in synergy with other security agencies and stakeholders”, CG added.
He assured that “we will remain neutral on the field to ensure the security of the electorate, other stakeholders and election officials and no act of sabotage will be tolerated.”
Continuing, he said; “to have a hitch-free exercise, undercover operatives, Arms Squad, operatives in the Counter-Terrorism, CG’s Special Intelligence Squad, Female Special Force, Rapid Response Squad, Crack Squad and Anti-vandal Unit are all detailed to prevent any vacuum which saboteurs may leverage on to perpetrate any act that could breach the peace in the states…”
To supporters of different political parties, the Corps helmsman advised them to adhere to the rules of the game set by the electoral umpire and not to indulge in any act that could cause chaos before, during and after the election and stressed the need for contestants to imbibe the spirit of sportsmanship by either accepting the outcome of the scheduled election or seek redress as provided by the law.
