According to Ahmed Audi, the Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, the Corps will send out 102,000 officers for the upcoming general elections on February 25 and March 11, 2023, respectively.
This information was provided by Audi on Tuesday in a statement issued in Abuja and signed by Olusola Odumosu, the Corp’s Director of Public Affairs.
The Anti-vandalism Squad and Special Forces would also be deployed to all critical national assets and infrastructure, including flashpoints in the states and the FCT, to protect them against vandalism, damage, or arson by criminal elements before, during, and after the elections, according to Audi, who also assured Nigerians of general security coverage throughout the country.
“To have a successful execution of this assignment, the Corps shall engage officers from the Special Forces, such as Arms Squad Unit, Counter Terrorism, Chemical, Biological Radiological and Explosives Unit, Female Squad, Rapid Response Squad K9.
“Our specially trained undercover personnel have been dispatched from each Command to work effectively with other Security Agencies to maintain surveillance and provide intelligence reports and updates on the security situation in different states, especially on flashpoints.”
According to Audi, state commandants, Deputy Controllers General, zonal commanders, and other senior officers of the Corps had been appointed with the duty of overseeing the exercise’s national field operations.
The CG further asked Corps officials to cooperate with other security organizations by maintaining their synergy to guarantee a smooth election and a safe environment for eligible voters to exercise their right to vote.
While urging the NSCDC personnel to carry out their responsibilities with professionalism, the CG also issued a warning that any staff member who disregarded the law would face consequences.
“Officers and men of the Corps have been well trained to operate with humility and integrity in delivering service to the nation, therefore, there will be no compromise.
“The NSCDC officials deployed to this assignment must comply with the Corps’ Operational Code and the principles of Rule of Law must be applied in the discharge of their duties, as any conduct of the NSCDC members that negates or undermines the rule of law will be seriously sanctioned.”