The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has deployed 10,000 personnel, including elite tactical squads and K9 units, to ensure a peaceful, credible, and secure environment for the forthcoming Ekiti State Governorship Election.
According to an official signed statement by the National Public Relations Officer of the NSCDC, Assistant Commandant of Corps Babawale Afolabi, the large-scale deployment is part of the Corps’ efforts to guarantee comprehensive security coverage before, during, and after the election.
The statement disclosed that personnel for the operation have been drawn from several state commands, including Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Lagos, Kwara, Edo, Ogun, and Kogi States, with additional reinforcements from Zone 11 and Zone 6 commands.
To strengthen the security architecture for the election, the Commandant General of the NSCDC approved the deployment of specialised tactical formations tasked with responding swiftly to potential threats and maintaining law and order throughout the electoral process.
The units deployed include the Commandant General’s Special Intelligence Squad (SIS), the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Unit, the Specialised Female Squad, Mining Marshals, the Special Force and Crack Squad, as well as the Corps’ K9 Unit, which is equipped with specially trained dogs for detection and crowd management operations.
The Commandant General also directed the Deputy Commandant General in charge of Operations, DCG Ayuba Phillips, to represent him and oversee the security operation in Ekiti State.
Reaffirming the Corps’ preparedness, the Commandant General stated that the NSCDC remained committed to protecting the integrity of the electoral process and ensuring the safety of voters, election officials, and residents across the state.
“Our mission in Ekiti State is definitive: to protect the integrity of the democratic process and guarantee the safety of every voter, election official, and citizen. We will tolerate no form of electoral violence, thuggery, or disruption. Our specialized squads and tactical forces are fully briefed and strategically positioned to maintain absolute law and order,” he said.
The Corps noted that it is working closely with other security agencies to provide coordinated security coverage throughout the election period, while all deployed personnel have been directed to maintain professionalism, neutrality, and strict adherence to the provisions of the Electoral Act.
The NSCDC also urged residents of Ekiti State to participate peacefully in the electoral process, remain law-abiding, and promptly report any suspicious activities to security agencies.
The governorship election is expected to witness heightened security presence across the state as authorities move to ensure a transparent and violence-free exercise.
