November 05, (THEWILL) – The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has deployed 20,000 operatives for Saturday’s governorship election in Anambra State.
Commandant General (CG) of the Corps, Dr Ahmed Audi, said the deployment was meant to forestall attacks on voters and ensure a hitch-free electoral process.
Speaking during a situational assessment visit to Anambra State ahead of the poll, Audi also cautioned security operatives against excessive use of force during the election.
He also reiterated that the Corps has a duty to protect the lives and property of all citizens of the state irrespective of their political affinity, adding that, the NSCDC is apolitical in nature, civil in orientation but very dogged in its operations.
He appealed to all citizens of the state to embrace peace and eschew violence or anything that is capable of jeopardizing the democratic process, warning that election is not war.
He urged the people of the state to be law-abiding and go about their legitimate businesses without any fear of violent or deadly attacks.
The CG assured residents that measures have been put in place ahead of the process to guarantee a well-secured environment and arrest any breach of peace or vandalism of critical national assets and infrastructure of the government before, during and after the election..
He warned arms-bearing personnel that accidental discharges are not contained in the Corps’ Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), as such, no one should be found wanting in this regard because human life is very sacrosanct and any personnel that takes laws into his hands by killing or maiming anyone unjustly will be seriously dealt with.
Spokesman of the Corps, Olusola Odumosu, who made these known in a statement on Friday, said the CG expressed confidence in the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and all stakeholders involved in the electioneering process.
The statement read in part, “Dr Audi warned the personnel to be civil in their approach and avoid excessive use of force, molestation, intimidation or harassment of voters during the election.
“Reiterating that the corps has a duty to protect lives and property of all citizens of the state, irrespective of their political affinity, he emphasised that the NSCDC is apolitical in nature, civil in orientation but very dogged in its operations.
“He appealed to the citizens of the state to embrace peace and eschew violence or anything that is capable of jeopardising the democratic process as election is not war, hence, the need to avoid unnecessary casualties.
“He reiterated that the corps will be deploying 20,000 personnel drawn from Anambra and other neighbouring state commands to all nooks and crannies of the state for overt and covert operations.”
