NSCDC deploys 6,000 officers for Ondo governorship poll

Ahead of the Ondo State governorship election scheduled for November 16, 2024, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps has announced the deployment of 6,000 officers to ensure adequate security across the state.

The Commandant General of the NSCDC, Dr. Ahmed Audi, disclosed this in a press release signed by the Corps’ spokesperson, Babawale Afolabi, on Sunday.

Audi stressed the Corps’ readiness to provide comprehensive security before, during, and after the poll.

He explained that the personnel would be drawn from Ondo State and neighbouring states, including Ekiti, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Lagos, Edo, and Delta.

“The Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Dr. Ahmed Audi, has ordered the deployment of 6,000 officers and men to provide adequate security before, during, and after the November 16 Ondo governorship election.

“CG Audi said the NSCDC is fully ready to ensure free, fair, and credible elections, noting that the Corps would deploy personnel from neighbouring states such as Ekiti, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Lagos, Edo, and Delta, among others,” the statement read in part.

The officers will be tasked with protecting critical national assets and infrastructure, safeguarding officials from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and ensuring the safe distribution of election materials.

The deployment will cover all 18 Local Government Areas, 203 Wards, and 3,933 polling units, including coastal areas in the state.

The security arrangement will feature specialised units such as the Special Female Squad, Counter-Terrorism Unit, Agro Rangers, and the Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosives Unit.

Additionally, K-9, Marine, and Election Monitoring units, along with the Intelligence and Investigation Department, will also be part of the operation.

The NSCDC boss noted that these measures are designed to prevent political violence and thuggery throughout the electoral process.
He stressed the importance of collaboration with the Nigeria Police, which is the lead agency for election security, and called for professionalism and discipline from all officers involved.

“The personnel drawn from the host state, neighbouring states, and the National Headquarters include the Special Female Squad, Counter-Terrorism Unit, Agro Rangers Unit, Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosives Unit, K-9 Unit, Marine Unit, CG’s Mining Marshall, Election Monitoring Unit, as well as the Intelligence and Investigation Department.

“There are comprehensive and strategic measures already in place, aimed at forestalling all forms of political violence and thuggery before, during, and after the elections.

“You must work in collaboration with the Nigeria Police, which is the lead agency in election security,” the statement added.

He also warned against acts of vandalism, destruction of public utilities, and election-related violence, urging parents to caution their children against being used by politicians for violent purposes.

Audi assured the public of the Corps’ commitment to protecting voters’ fundamental rights while promising to arrest and prosecute anyone attempting to disrupt the election process in accordance with the electoral law