…Tasks Personnel on ethical standards
By Palma Ileye
Determined to ensure free, fair and credible Gubernatorial elections in Imo, Bayelsa and Kogi States scheduled for 11th November 2023, the Commandant General, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, Ahmed Abubakar Audi has directed the deployment of 22, 600 personnel of the Corps, comprising Officers and men also charging them to maintain high ethical standards, discipline, professional conduct and remain apolitical.
According to a press release issued yesterday by CSC Babawale Zaid Afolabi, National Public Relations Officer, NSCDC NHQ, in Abuja, Audi reiterated its commitment to support Democratic governance and processes also explaining that the deployment was 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 extended his call to residents of the three States urging them 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 and causing a breach of peace or damage to critical national assets and infrastructure.
The CG warned against any act of thuggery, ballot box snatching, and other acts that could mar the exercise and call on politicians to caution their supporters, emphasizing that sabotage will not be condoned.
“The Corps made the mass deployment in the affected states where elections are to be held. Our personnel are adequately briefed on how to discharge their duties in synergy with other security agencies and stakeholders,” the NSCDC boss added.
He assured 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.”
Continuing, he said, “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…”
To supporters of different political parties, the Corps helmsman advised them to adhere to the rules of the game set by the electoral umpire and not to indulge in any act that could cause chaos before, during and after the election and stresses the need for contestants to imbibe the spirit of sportsmanship by either accepting the outcome of the scheduled election or seek redress as provided by the law.
