The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, has deployed 10,210 personnel and specialised tactical units across Osun State ahead of the governorship election.
The Commandant-General of the Corps, Prof. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, ordered the deployment as part of measures to strengthen security before and during the poll. The NSCDC National Public Relations Officer, Babawale Afolabi, disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday in Abuja.
According to Afolabi, the deployment began on Monday and is intended to protect voters, electoral officials, observers, journalists and other residents throughout the electoral process.
Personnel from the Oyo, Ondo, Ekiti, Ogun, Lagos, Kwara, Edo, Kogi, Delta and Federal Capital Territory commands have been deployed to reinforce the Osun State Command. The statement said about 1,000 personnel from each of the commands would strengthen security coverage across the state alongside other agencies participating in the election.
Audi also directed specialised formations of the Corps to support the regular deployment.
The units include the CG’s Special Intelligence Squad, Special Weapons and Tactics Unit, Specialised Female Squad, Mining Marshals, Special Strike Force, Crack Squad and K9 Unit. The NSCDC said the specialised teams would assist with intelligence gathering, crime prevention, detection, protection of critical infrastructure, crowd management and other security duties.
To improve coordination, the Deputy Commandant-General in charge of Operations, DCG Ayuba Phillip, will relocate to Osun alongside designated Assistant Commandants-General and other senior officers. They will oversee the Corps’ election security operations across the state.
Audi assured residents that the Corps would maintain professionalism, neutrality and respect for citizens’ rights during the election. He said protecting election materials, electoral officials and voters remained essential to ensuring a credible electoral process. The NSCDC boss warned that individuals or groups seeking to disrupt the election would face the law.
He said personnel had been instructed to work impartially with other security agencies and avoid actions capable of undermining the credibility of the election. The Corps urged political parties, candidates and their supporters to conduct themselves peacefully and respect the democratic process.
The NSCDC said it would work with the Nigeria Police Force, military and other sister agencies under the existing inter-agency security framework. The arrangement is expected to strengthen coordination across Osun’s 30 Local Government Areas.
Audi also urged residents to remain calm, vigilant and cooperative with security personnel throughout the election period. Members of the public were encouraged to report suspicious movements, activities or other security concerns promptly to the relevant authorities.
