By Goodluck Ikiebe in Abuja.
Ahead of Saturday’s Gubernatorial election in Osun State, the Commandant General (CG) of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Dr Ahmed Audi, has approved the deployment of 11,226 officers and men to cover the 3,763 polling units.
They will also ensure peace at the collation centres, flash points as well as Critical National Assets and Infrastructure in all the 31 Local Government Areas of the State.
Dr Audi, in a statement with a copy available to The Reporters on Friday, 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 to supply manpower for the election.
The CG stated that the objectives of the Corps in the forthcoming election was to create a secured environment for the 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 election.
According to him, they have also been acquainted with the provisions of the Electoral Act as regards to 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.
“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,” the CG further explained.
Dr Audi hinted that in readiness for the election, the Corps’ undercover personnel from the National Headquarters had joined their counterparts in Osun State for covert operations to nip any security compromise in the bud.
The Civil Defence Boss said the has assigned Deputy Commandant General (DCG) in charge of Operations, Dauda Mungadi, to oversee the election exercise.
According to him,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 districts of the state.
“To ensure that critical assets of government are not vandalized by criminal elements before, during and after the election, there shall be deployment of the Ant-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.
“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.
“This is different from the regular conventional personnel, in order to have a successful execution of the assignment,”he said.
Dr Audi reiterated the Corps’ readiness to partner with sister agencies to ensure a hitch-free poll and guarantee crime-free environment, to enable eligible voters exercise their voting rights.
He warned all personnel deployed to remain apolitical, stressing that whosoever found perpetrating unethical conduct “will certainly face sanction.”
“For ease of communication, the Corps has provided Operational Hot Lines – 08060003181, 08032898909 and N-Alert Situation Room Hotlines:
08066005861, 08032928878 and 07034322058”, Audi noted.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
