The Nigeria Security and
Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, has deployed 102,000 personnel for effective
coverage of the general election nationwide. The Commandant General of NSCDC,
Dr Ahmed Abubakar Audi, mni, OFR, has stated the readiness of the Corps to
create a secure environment for the successful conduct of the 2023 general
elections nationwide.
This was made known in a
statement made available on Tuesday, by the Corps spokesman, Commandant
Olusola Odumosu.
However, Audi has
assured that the forthcoming elections will be seamless despite pockets of
security challenges in some parts of the country, and stated that the Corps has
evolved a comprehensive deployment plan to enhance general security coverage
nationwide and ensure that the electorate is not molested or intimidated by
hoodlums or party thugs before, during and after the elections.
According to Audi, the
Corps would be deploying a total number of one hundred and two thousand
(102,000) personnel for the Presidential/National Assembly and
Governorship/State Assembly Elections coming up on February 25th and March
11th, 2023, respectively.
The CG further stated
that the NSCDC has activated a strong operational guideline that would ensure
credible, hitch-free and successful elections, reiterating that, the massive
deployment of personnel is to checkmate all forms of electoral violence and
electoral fraud which includes vote buying.
He further stated that
there would be deployment of Anti-vandalism Squad and Special Forces to all
critical national assets and infrastructure, including flashpoints in the
states and the FCT, to protect them against vandalism, damage or arson by
criminal elements before, during and after the elections.
“To have a successful execution of this
assignment, the Corps shall engage officers from the Special Forces, such as
Arms Squad Unit, Counter Terrorism, Chemical, Biological Radiological and
Explosives Unit (CBRNE), Female Squad, Rapid Response Squad (RRR), K9 and SWAT
Unit, different from the regular conventional personnel.
“Our specially trained
undercover personnel have been dispatched from each Command to work effectively
with other Security Agencies to maintain surveillance, and provide intelligence
reports and updates on the security situation in different States, especially
on flashpoints,” the CG said.
He also indicated that,
State Commandants shall be responsible for field operations throughout the
elections and a monitoring team made up of the DCG Operations and other DCGs,
Zonal Commanders and other Senior Officers of the Corps have been constituted
to effectively monitor and supervise the exercise nation-wide.
Audi directed that in
addition to the unified ICESS code of conduct for security agencies, NSCDC
officers deployed for elections must comply with the Corps’ Operational Code
and the principles of Rule of Law must be applied in the discharge of their
duties, as any conduct of NSCDC staff that negates or undermines the rule of
law will be sanctioned.
The CG also urged
personnel of the Corps to work in harmony with other security agencies by
sustaining the synergy towards ensuring a hitch-free poll and guarantee a
crime-free environment to enable eligible voters to exercise their voting
rights.
He charged officers and
men to display professionalism, be apolitical and maintain a high sense of
discipline throughout the election period.
He said, “Officers and
men of the Corps have been well trained to operate with humility and integrity
in delivering service to the nation, therefore, there will be no compromise.
“They are to acquaint
themselves with the provisions of the Electoral Act as regards the Rules of
Engagement for the overall success of the elections.”
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