Osun Election: Civil Defence Deploys 10,210 Personnel For Poll Security

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has deployed 10,210 personnel and specialised tactical units across Osun State ahead of the August 15 governorship election.

The deployment was authorised by the Commandant-General of the Corps, Prof. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, as part of measures to strengthen security and ensure a peaceful and credible electoral process across the state.

According to IREPORTERONLINE, the NSCDC National Public Relations Officer, Babawale Afolabi, announced the deployment in a statement issued on Monday in Abuja.

Afolabi said the operation was designed to provide adequate protection for voters, electoral officials, journalists, observers and residents before, during and after the election.

He disclosed that personnel from the NSCDC commands in Oyo, Ondo, Ekiti, Ogun, Lagos, Kwara, Edo, Kogi, Delta and the Federal Capital Territory would reinforce the Osun State Command.

According to him, approximately 1,000 personnel from each of the supporting commands, including uniformed and undercover operatives, would be deployed to improve security coverage across the state.

The NSCDC also announced the deployment of specialised units with capabilities tailored to the security requirements of the election. These include the Commandant-General’s Special Intelligence Squad, Special Weapons and Tactics Unit, Specialised Female Squad, Mining Marshals, Special Strike Force, Crack Squad and K9 Unit.

The Corps said the specialised formations would support regular personnel through intelligence gathering, crime prevention, detection, protection of critical infrastructure, crowd management and other security responsibilities.

Afolabi further disclosed that the Deputy Commandant-General in charge of Operations, DCG Ayuba Phillip, alongside designated Assistant Commandants-General and other senior officers, would relocate to Osun State to coordinate the Corps’ election security operations.

Audi assured residents that the NSCDC would maintain professionalism, neutrality and respect for citizens’ rights throughout the electoral process.

He warned that political thugs and other individuals planning to disrupt the election would face legal consequences, stressing that the protection of voters, electoral officials and election materials remained a major priority.

The NSCDC urged political parties, candidates, supporters and residents to maintain peace and allow the democratic process to proceed without interference.

The Corps said it would continue working with the Nigeria Police Force, the military and other security agencies under the existing inter-agency framework to ensure effective coordination across all 30 Local Government Areas of Osun State.

Audi also appealed to residents to remain calm and vigilant while cooperating with security personnel. Members of the public were encouraged to report suspicious activities and potential security threats to the relevant authorities.