Osun Election: NSCDC Mobilises 10,210 Personnel, Special Forces

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has mobilised 10,210 personnel, including specialised tactical teams, to strengthen security operations ahead of the Osun State governorship election.

NSCDC Commandant-General, Prof. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, directed the deployment, which began on Monday, to provide security for voters, electoral officials, observers, journalists and residents during the electoral process.

The Corps’ National Public Relations Officer, Babawale Afolabi, announced the deployment in a statement issued in Abuja on Monday.

The personnel include uniformed and undercover officers from the Oyo, Ondo, Ekiti, Ogun, Lagos, Kwara, Edo, Kogi, Delta and FCT commands.

The statement said about 1,000 personnel from each of the 10 commands would reinforce the Osun State Command and work alongside other security agencies to strengthen coverage across the state.

Tactical units deployed

Audi also approved the deployment of several specialised units with capabilities tailored to the security requirements of the election.

They include the CG’s Special Intelligence Squad (SIS), Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Unit, Specialised Female Squad, Mining Marshals, Special Strike Force, Crack Squad and K9 Unit.

“The specialised teams will complement the regular deployment through intelligence gathering, crime prevention, detection, protection of critical assets, crowd control and other security responsibilities within their respective areas of competence,” the NSCDC said.

To improve command and coordination, the Deputy Commandant-General in charge of Operations, DCG Ayuba Phillip, will relocate to Osun State with designated Assistant Commandants-General and other senior officers.

They will oversee the Corps’ election security operations.

Audi warns political thugs

The NSCDC boss assured the people of Osun that his personnel would remain professional, neutral and respectful of citizens’ rights.

He said the protection of election materials, electoral officers and voters was essential to ensuring a credible election.

“As an agency saddled with the responsibility of protecting critical infrastructure and national assets, the safety and security of election materials and electoral officials are very critical alongside the electorates; you have the responsibility of ensuring unbiased synergy with other security agencies on election duty to actualize a free, fair and credible election,” he said.

Audi said NSCDC personnel had been briefed on the need to maintain neutrality and professionalism.

“Our personnel have been properly briefed on the need to be professional, neutral and respectful in the discharge of their duties. In the light of the above, the NSCDC, in collaboration with other security agencies on election duty, will not tolerate any activity intended to jeopardise the election process,” he said.

He warned individuals and political thugs planning to disrupt the election that they would be dealt with according to the law.

“Criminal-minded persons and political thugs willing to disrupt the peaceful conduct of the election would face the wrath of the law as prescribed in the Electoral Act,” Audi added.

The NSCDC urged all political parties, candidates, supporters and residents to avoid violence and allow the democratic process to take place peacefully.

The Corps said it would work closely with the Nigeria Police Force, military and other security agencies under the existing inter-agency security framework to coordinate security operations across the state’s 30 Local Government Areas.

Audi also appealed to Osun residents to remain calm, peaceful and vigilant and to cooperate with security personnel.

He urged the public to report suspicious movements, activities or security concerns promptly to the relevant authorities.

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