Less than 72 hours to the Governorship Election in Ekiti state holding on Saturday, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, has deployed 10,000 officers to ensure a peaceful, violence-free process.
In a statement signed by Babawale Afolabi, Assistant Commandant of Corps and National Public Relations Officer on Wednesday said
The Commandant General, Ahmed Abubakar Audi ordered the massive deployment as part of NSCDC’s statutory mandate to protect the integrity of the democratic process.
According to the statement Personnel were drawn from state commands in Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Lagos, Kwara, Edo, Ogun, and Kogi, plus operational reinforcements from Zone 11 and Zone 6.
The CG directed immediate deployment of specialized tactical squads to neutralize potential threats. These includes the CG’s Special Intelligence Squad, Special Weapons and Tactics, Specialized Female Squad.
Others are Mining Marshals, Special Force and Crack Squad and the K9 Unit for detection and crowd control.
The statement further emphasized that to coordinate operations, the CG designated the Deputy Commandant General, Ayuba Phillips in charge of operations to represent him and lead the election security exercise on ground in Ekiti.
“Our mission in Ekiti is definitive: to protect the integrity of the democratic process and guarantee safety for every voter, election official, and citizen,” the CG said.
“We will tolerate no form of electoral violence, thuggery, or disruption. Our specialized squads and tactical forces are fully briefed and strategically positioned to maintain absolute law and order.”
The NSCDC Boss stressed that they are working in close synergy with sister security agencies to provide coverage before, during, and after the election. All deployed personnel have been charged to maintain professionalism, neutrality, and civility in line with the Electoral Act.
He urged Ekiti residents to come out peacefully and vote without fear of intimidation, while remaining vigilant and reporting suspicious activities to security operatives.
