The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), FCT Command, has deployed 4,000 personnel to ensure adequate protection before, during and after the Area Councils election.
The NSCDC FCT Commandant, Olusola Odumosu, stated this when he received delegates from the National Peace Committee on Friday in Abuja.
Odumosu assured the electorate of adequate protection against harassment and intimidation by hoodlums.
The commandant said that his personnel have been properly trained by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on election matters.
He said the paramount concern of security operatives is to ensure a hitch-free election on February 21.
“As one of the major stakeholders in election security in the country, our role will start before the election, and we are not going to stand down until after the election results have been announced.
“We are trained to keep a close watch on the electioneering process, and the series of meetings I have held with my Divisional Officers was towards ensuring that there is no compromise,” he said.
Odumosu urged the electorate to have confidence in the corps and other security agencies by coming out en masse to cast their votes without fear of chaos.
He said that the corps will be working in synergy with other security agencies to enhance security during and after the election.
The commandant maintained that the command’s covert officers have been deployed to crisis-prone polling centres to mount surveillance, preparatory for the election day.
He called on parents and guardians to warn their wards to avoid being used as tools in the hands of politicians but to abide by the rules guiding the conduct of elections.
In her remarks, National Peace Committee Project Manager, Asabe Ndahi, said that the visit was to discuss the evolving election security landscape in the FCT.
She said it was also aimed at sharing preliminary observations and exploring areas of collaboration ahead of the upcoming Area Council election.
Ndahi commended the commandant for their preparedness towards the elections, she assured a continuous working relationship with the corps.
NAN
