Nigeria's security agency assigns 10,000 officers to monitor Osun state's gubernatorial vote

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The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps has deployed 10,000 personnel from 10 state commands to reinforce security operations ahead of the Osun State governorship election.

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The Commandant-General of the NSCDC, Prof. Ahmed Audi, ordered the deployment, which is scheduled to commence on Monday, as part of measures to ensure a peaceful and secure electoral process.

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According to a statement by the NSCDC spokesman, Afolabi Babawale, the personnel, comprising uniformed and undercover officers, are being drawn from the Oyo, Ondo, Ekiti, Ogun, Lagos, Kwara, Edo, Kogi, Delta and Federal Capital Territory commands, with about 1,000 personnel from each command.

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“The Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Prof. Abubakar Audi, has ordered the deployment of 10,000 personnel from 10 State Commands, alongside specialised tactical and operational units of the Corps, to reinforce security operations across Osun State.

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“The corps said the deployment would complement its existing personnel in Osun State and provide security for voters, electoral officials, observers, journalists and residents across the state’s 30 local government areas.

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Audi also directed the deployment of specialised units, including the Commandant-General’s Special Intelligence Squad, Special Weapons and Tactics Unit, Specialised Female Squad, Mining Marshals, Special Strike Force, Crack Squad and K9 Unit.

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According to the statement signed by the NSCDC National Public Relations Officer, Babawale Afolabi, the specialised units would support intelligence gathering, crime prevention, protection of critical assets, crowd control and other election-related security operations.

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To ensure effective coordination, the Deputy Commandant-General in charge of Operations, Ayuba Phillip, alongside designated Assistant Commandant-Generals and other senior officers, will relocate to Osun State to supervise the corps’ election security operations.

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Audi said NSCDC personnel had been adequately briefed to remain professional, neutral and respectful of citizens’ rights during the election.

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He said, “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.

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“You have the responsibility of ensuring unbiased synergy with other security agencies on election duty to actualise a free, fair and credible election.

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“Our personnel have been properly briefed on the need to be professional, neutral and respectful in the discharge of their duties.”

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The NSCDC boss warned political thugs and others who might attempt to disrupt the election, saying such activities would not be tolerated.

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He added, “The NSCDC in collaboration with other security agencies on election duty will not tolerate any activity intended to jeopardise the election process; 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.”

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The corps urged political parties, candidates, supporters and residents to conduct themselves peacefully and allow the democratic process to take its course.

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It also said it would work with the Nigeria Police Force, military and other security agencies under the established inter-agency security framework to ensure effective coordination throughout the election period.

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The deployment comes amid heightened security preparations for the August 15 governorship election, with the Nigeria Police Force earlier announcing the deployment of 15,000 personnel to the state.

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