NSCDC deploys 20,000 personnel for Edo governorship poll

Commandant-General of NSCDC, Abdullahi Gana

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) on Monday said it had deployed 20,000 personnel for Edo governorship election scheduled for Sept. 28.

This is contained in a statement signed by its Public Relations Officer, Mr Emmanuel Okeh and issued to newsmen in Abuja.

The statement said that the Commandant-General of the Corps, Mr Abdullahi Muhammadu, had directed the immediate deployment of 20,000 personnel for the election.

“The CG has charged the Acting Deputy Commandant General Operations, Mr Hillary Madu, to relocate his office to Edo in order to guarantee free and fair election devoid of violence and rancour.

“The Acting DCG is to be assisted by two Assistant Commandant Generals in Charge of Zone G Benin and Zone E Owerri with five Commandants drawn from the neighbouring states.

“While the personnel are to be re-deployed from Kogi, Ondo, Delta, Bayelsa and Anambra Commands respectively to complement the deployment of personnel from Edo Command,’’ it said.

Muhammadu advised the personnel to work in synergy with other sister security agencies in order to ensure peaceful conduct of the election.

The CG warned that any personnel caught or found involved in any act of misconduct would be dealt with in accordance with the law and ethics of the service.

He also approved the deployment of sniffer dogs, specialised units such as the SWAT, CBRN, CTU, Undercover and Special Forces to protect the Critical Infrastructures and national assets in the state and its environs.

Muhammadu said that this was to prevent them from being vandalised by criminal-minded people who took advantage of activities like this to carry out their nefarious act.

“I call on all the politicians in Edo to note that, achieving victory is not a do or die affair, but victory comes from God alone.

“The winner should accept it in humility while the loser should accept it in magnanimity.

“There is always another time to achieve success. Election will come and go, but Edo remains.

“So, there is no need to fight and destroy what belongs to generations born and yet unborn,’’ he said.

He also urged the citizens of the state to come out en masse to exercise their franchise without fear or favour, adding that they should vote the candidate of their choice without any form of coercion.

Muhammadu called on parents to be on the look-out for their children and wards, and ensure that they were of best behaviour ever, before, during and after the poll.

The CG also charged the youths in the state to shun thuggery and all forms of vices that negate peaceful conduct of election.

He stressed the need for them not to allow themselves to be used by any person to carry out any form of satanic acts.

Muhammadu added that those politicians and their supporters would never bring their sons or daughters to carry out such dirty jobs.

He said that synergy amongst security operatives was a must, as no man could achieve success alone without good team work at all times.