The Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Dr. Ahmed Audi, has approved the deployment of 11,226 personnel to cover the 3,763 polling units, collation centres, flashpoints as well as Critical National Assets and Infrastructure in all the 31 Local Government Areas of the Osun State.
Audi disclosed that the deployed personnel were derived from the National Headquarters and nine State Commands; Osun, Ondo, Ekiti, Oyo, Ogun, Lagos, Kwara, Kogi, and Edo states to supply manpower for the election.
The CG stated that the objectives of the Corps in the forthcoming election were 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 the personnel had attended various workshops on best practices during the election. They had 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 professionalism and a high sense of discipline throughout the election.
This robust operational order has been activated to ensure a hitch-free exercise and guide against molestation and intimidation of the electorates 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.
Audi assigned Deputy Commandant General (DCG) in charge of Operations, Dauda Mungadi to oversee the election exercise.
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 the government were not vandalised by criminal elements before, during, and after the election, Audi stated that there will 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.
He 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, to have a successful execution of the assignment.
