The Commandant-General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Prof. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, has ordered the immediate deployment of 10,210 personnel and specialised tactical units to reinforce security operations ahead of the upcoming governorship election in Osun State.
The deployment, which commenced on Monday, is designed to ensure that voters, electoral officials, observers, journalists, and residents can participate in the democratic process free from fear or intimidation.
According to a statement issued in Abuja by the National Public Relations Officer of the NSCDC, Babawale Afolabi, about 1,000 uniformed and undercover personnel from neighboring state commands—including Oyo, Ondo, Ekiti, Ogun, Lagos, Kwara, Edo, Kogi, Delta, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT)—will reinforce the Osun State Command.
These reinforcements will work hand in hand with other security agencies to provide robust security coverage across all 30 Local Government Areas of the state.
In addition to regular personnel, the Commandant-General has deployed specialized formations tailored to meet the security demands of the election.
These include the CG’s Special Intelligence Squad (SIS), Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Unit, Specialised Female Squad, Mining Marshals, Special Strike Force, Crack Squad, and the K9 Unit.
These elite teams are tasked with intelligence gathering, crime prevention, crowd control, and the safeguarding of critical national assets and infrastructure throughout the exercise.
To guarantee seamless execution, the Deputy Commandant-General in charge of Operations, DCG Ayuba Phillip, alongside designated Assistant Commandants-General (ACGs) and senior officers, will relocate directly to Osun State to oversee field operations.
Prof. Audi stressed that the protection of voters, election officials, and sensitive materials remains paramount, warning that criminal elements and political thugs attempting to hijack or disrupt the polls will face the full weight of the Electoral Act.
Concluding with a call for peace, the NSCDC urged political parties, candidates, and supporters to conduct themselves orderly while cooperating with the Nigeria Police Force, the military, and other sister agencies under the inter-agency framework.
The Corps encouraged residents to remain calm, vigilant, and prompt in reporting any suspicious activities to security authorities to guarantee a free, fair, and credible election.
