With the Gubernatorial and State Assembly Elections just days away, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) says it has tightened the security approach to ensure that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) staff, election materials and citizens are secured during the elections.
The robust security arrangement, according to the Corps, comes on the heels of the review, analysis, and processing of reports and observations from the field on the Presidential and National Assembly elections held on the 25th of February, 2023,
A Statement signed by the Corps spokesperson, Olusola Odumosu on Wednesday in Abuja, states that the NSCDC Commandant General, Dr.Ahmed Abubakar Audi, mni, OFR, while addressing some personnel ready for deployment to states for the Governorship and State Assembly election, said that efforts to curb disruption of the voting process necessitated the deployment of personnel to old and newly discovered flashpoints.
“Ensure the protection of critical national assets and infrastructural domains where vandalism of public utilities frequently occurred,” he ordered.
He affirmed that the already deployed 102,000 officers and men who had been properly trained in regimentation, crowd control, arms bearing and election management techniques are to ensure full security coverage of the election.
He assured that the Corps will continue to work with members of the public to obtain credible information to nip criminal activities in the bud before, during and after the election.
Audi charged all personnel on election duty to observe the rules of engagement and get themselves acquainted with the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), code of ethics, and the electoral law as amended.
He warned against any form of misconduct, compromise, or accidental discharge as such acts are unpardonable under his administration.
“You must be professional, apolitical, and non-partisan, respect the fundamental human rights of the citizens, and avoid Intimidation and harassment of voters.
“Personnel must respect fundamental human rights of citizens, protect voters against political thugs, arrest vote buyers, election fraudsters.
“You are to ensure the obedience of law and order, be good ambassadors and maintain the integrity of the system,” CG said.
The Corps helmsman reiterated the need for continuous partnership with the police and other security agencies involved in election security duties, advising them to avoid unnecessary confrontation but to handle misunderstandings (in case of any) with maturity.
Audi warned mischief makers who may intend to perpetrate violence to take lessons from the last Presidential and National Assembly election where many political thugs lost their lives while snatching ballot boxes amongst other electoral crimes
He urged personnel to attract only good comments to the service with their conducts and performances during the polls as anyone found wanting will not be spared and assured those yet to receive the second tranch of the election allowance to exercise patience as glitches in the network is seriously affecting most financial transactions.
“Except for those who supplied wrong account details, and some network glitches, many personnel had received the second credit alerts,” the CG informed.
