In preparation for the off-season elections in Imo Kogi and Bayelsa States, scheduled for 11th November 2023, the Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Ahmed Abubakar Audi, on Wednesday directed the deployment of 22, 600 personnel of the Corps to ensure free, fair and credible gubernatorial elections.
In a statement by the National Public Relations Officer of the Corps, Babawale Afolabi said the CG charged them to maintain high ethical standards, discipline, professional conduct and remain apolitical.
The CG reiterated its commitment to support democratic governance and processes; and explained that the deployment is to provide water-tight security for the electorate, officials, other stakeholders, and sensitive and non-sensitive materials before, during and after the exercise in collaboration with other relevant stakeholders.
He called on residents of the three states to cooperate with the NSCDC and sister agencies and shun any act capable of thwarting the strategic plans put on the ground for the peaceful conduct of the elections.
The CG also called on politicians to caution their supporters, emphasizing that sabotage will not be condoned.
He assures that “we will remain neutral on the field to ensure the security of electorate, other stakeholders and election officials and no act of sabotage will be tolerated.”
“To have a hitch-free exercise, undercover operatives, Arms Squad, operatives in the Counter-Terrorism, CG’s Special Intelligence Squad, Female Special Force, Rapid Response Squad, Crack Squad and Anti-vandal Unit are all detailed to prevent any vacuum which saboteurs may leverage on to perpetrate any act that could breach the peace in the states…”
The Informant247 had on Tuesday, reported that the Inspector-General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun, announced that there will be no vehicular movement as well as movement of canoes, ships and other means of transportation via waterways, starting from Friday.
Egbetokun, while giving the directive, said the decision was in line with measures put in place to ensure free, fair and credible elections in the three states, and also barred some state security outfits including Ebubeagu and other quasi-outfits from operating during the exercise.
Speaking through the Force spokesperson, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the IG, made this known at the ongoing press briefing at Force Headquarters, explained that marine and gunboats have been deployed in the three states considering the riverine terrain of the states, while maintaining that the three states have been fortified with different security equipment, including helicopters that will be deployed for aerial patrol.
