From Isaac Anumihe, Abuja
Ahead of Saturday’s gubernatorial election in Osun State, the Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Dr Ahmed Audi, has deployed over 11,226 officers and men to cover the 3,763 polling units, collation centres, flash points as well as critical national assets and infrastructure in all the 31 Local Government Areas of the state.
The deployed personnel were derived from the national headquarters and nine state commands including Osun, Ondo, Ekiti, Oyo, Ogun, Lagos, Kwara, Kogi and Edo to supply manpower for the election.
In a statement, Audi stated that the objectives of the corps in the forthcoming election is to create a secured environment for its successful conduct and enhance the general security in the state before, during and after the election.
He explained that personnel had attended various workshops on best practices during election.
They have also been acquainted with the provisions of the Electoral Act as regards rules of engagement, hence, must comply with the corps’ Operational Code, Standard Operating Procedure and above all, display of professionalism and high sense of discipline throughout the election.
According to the statement, this robust operational order has been activated to ensure a hitch-free exercise and guard against molestation and intimidation of the electorate by hoodlums or party thugs.
Audi hinted that, in readiness for the election, the corps’ undercover personnel from the national headquarters have joined their counterparts in Osun State for covert operations to nip any security compromise in the bud.
In view of this, Audi assigned Deputy Commandant General (DCG) in charge of Operations, Dauda Mungadi to oversee the election.
He also designated Assistant Commandant General (ACG) Operations, Philip Ayuba, Zonal Commander (Zone J), Fasiu Adeyinka and Commandant Special Duties, Oliver Ugwuja to serve as field commanders monitoring each senatorial district of the state.
“To ensure that critical assets of government are not vandalised by criminal elements before, during and after the election, there shall be deployment of the Anti-vandalism Squad, Critical National Asset Protection Unit and other special forces to all key points in the state to protect them against vandalism, damage or arson” the statement, noted.
The Commandant General (CG) stressed that, a pool of officers shall be drawn from special forces, such as Arms Squad Unit, Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU), Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear and Explosives Unit (CBRNE), the Special Female Squad, Rapid Response Squad, K9 and SWAT Unit, different from the regular conventional personnel, in order to have a successful execution of the assignment.
He reiterated the corps’ readiness to partner with sister agencies to ensure a hitch-free poll and to guarantee crime-free environment to enable eligible voters exercise their voting rights.
The CG warned all personnel deployed to remain apolitical, stressing that whoever is found perpetrating unethical conduct will certainly face sanctions.