No fewer than 20,000 operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) are to be deployed towards a hitch-free election in Anambra State.
Speaking, in Abuja, on Thursday, during the Opening Ceremony of a 3-day train-the-trainers capacity building and electoral workshop ahead of the November 6, Anambra State Governorship Election, the Commandant General of NSCDC, Dr. Ahmed Audi, disclosed that 20,000 officers and men of the Corps, mainly from the Southern States Commands, were going to be deployed to ensure that the election is without hitches.
Those to be deployed included personnel of the NSCDC Arms Squad Unit, Counter-Terrorism Unit, and the Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Explosives Unit.
He said the officers would be drafted to key points in the State, where they would be saddled with the responsibility of protecting lives and property, sensitive and non-sensitive election materials, INEC officials and all critical assets against vandalism, damage or arsonist attacks.
He said the NSCDC in collaboration with other security agencies have developed strategies to checkmate any act of electoral violence and other nefarious activities capable of undermining the electoral process.
He disclosed that the personnel to be deployed for the assignment will be drafted from all the South-south and South-east State Commands to join their counterparts in Anambra State.
His words, “In addition, personnel from Kogi, Ekiti, Ondo, and Benue have been placed on standby in case there is need for reinforcement.”
The CG also warned the officers to strictly adhere to the ethics of the Corps and comply with the principles of rule of law in the discharge of their duties.
He said, “Let me warn, and I mean it, that any conduct of an officer of the NSCDC that undermines the rule of law will be seriously dealt with in accordance with the public service rule.”
CG Audi contined, “Officers and men of the Corps are to display professionalism and maintain a high sense of discipline, humility and integrity in service delivery throughout the election period. Above all, officers are to acquaint themselves with the provisions of the Electoral Act as regards the Rules of Engagement and also be fully mindful of the electoral offences as contained in Section 29 of the Act.
“The risk factors associated with election has been aggravated by other security threats such as, Separatist agitators (IPOB, ESN) kidnapping, thuggery, ballot box snatching and electoral frauds. To ensure effective monitoring before, during and after the election, the NSCDC will be deploying 20,000 officers and men for the conduct of the election.”
