The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, has deployed 10,210 personnel and specialised tactical units across Osun State ahead of the forthcoming governorship election. The deployment was approved by the Commandant-General of the Corps, Prof. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, as part of efforts to strengthen security and ensure a peaceful electoral process.
According to a statement issued in Abuja by the National Public Relations Officer of the NSCDC, Babawale Afolabi, the operation commenced on Monday. The statement said the deployment is aimed at ensuring that voters, electoral officials, observers, journalists and residents participate in the election without fear, intimidation or disruption.
To reinforce the NSCDC Osun election security arrangement, personnel have been mobilised from several state commands. These include Oyo, Ondo, Ekiti, Ogun, Lagos, Kwara, Edo, Kogi, Delta and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT.
Approximately 1,000 officers from each command are expected to support the Osun State Command and complement other security agencies deployed for the exercise. The Corps said the large-scale mobilisation reflects its commitment to maintaining law and order throughout the election period.
Audi also directed the deployment of specialised formations to address specific security challenges that may arise during the election. The units include the Commandant-General’s Special Intelligence Squad, SIS, the Special Weapons and Tactics, SWAT, Unit, the Specialised Female Squad, Mining Marshals, Special Strike Force, Crack Squad and the K9 Unit.
According to the statement, these teams will support regular personnel through intelligence gathering, crime prevention, crowd management and protection of critical assets. The specialised units are also expected to assist in detecting and responding to security threats before, during and after the election.
To ensure effective coordination of the NSCDC Osun election operations, the Deputy Commandant-General in charge of Operations, DCG Ayuba Phillip, will relocate to Osun State.
He will be joined by designated Assistant Commandants-General and other senior officers responsible for overseeing election security activities. The Corps said the deployment of top officers would strengthen supervision and improve collaboration among security agencies involved in the exercise.
Audi assured residents of Osun State that NSCDC personnel would remain professional, impartial and respectful of citizens’ rights throughout the election. He stressed that protecting election materials, electoral officials and voters remains a critical responsibility of the Corps.
The Commandant-General also warned political thugs and other criminal elements against attempting to disrupt the electoral process. He said anyone found engaging in activities capable of undermining the election would face legal consequences in line with the Electoral Act
“Our personnel have been properly briefed on the need to be professional, neutral and respectful in the discharge of their duties,” he stated.
He added that the Corps, working alongside other security agencies, would not tolerate any action capable of jeopardising a free, fair and credible election.
The NSCDC appealed to political parties, candidates, supporters and residents to conduct themselves peacefully throughout the election period. The Corps said it would continue to work closely with the Nigeria Police Force, the military and other security agencies under the existing inter-agency security framework.
The objective, it noted, is to ensure effective security coverage across all 30 local government areas of Osun State. Audi also urged residents to remain vigilant, cooperate with security personnel and promptly report suspicious activities. The Corps expressed confidence that the extensive NSCDC Osun election deployment would contribute to a peaceful and credible governorship poll.
