NSCDC deploys 4,000 personnel for FCT Council polls, assures voters of tight security

Olusola Odumosu, Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command, has ordered the deployment of 4,000 personnel across Abuja to guarantee a peaceful and hitch-free Area Council election scheduled for February 21, 2026.

Odumosu gave the assurance on Friday while receiving a delegation from the National Peace Committee during a courtesy visit to the Command’s headquarters in Wuse Zone 5, Abuja.

He reaffirmed the Corps’ readiness to protect voters from harassment, intimidation, and disruption by hoodlums or political thugs before, during, and after the polls.

According to him, the NSCDC remains a critical stakeholder in election security nationwide, stressing that its involvement goes beyond election day.

“As one of the major stakeholders in election security in the country, our role will begin before the election, and we will not stand down until after the results have been announced without chaos or violence,” Odumosu said.

He disclosed that personnel of the Corps had undergone election-specific training conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to enhance professionalism and ensure compliance with electoral guidelines.

He added that a series of strategic meetings with Divisional Officers had been held to eliminate any possibility of compromise.

The Commandant further revealed that covert operatives had already been deployed to identified flashpoints and crisis-prone polling units to conduct surveillance and prevent security breaches ahead of the election.

Odumosu assured residents of the FCT of adequate protection, urging them to turn out en masse to exercise their civic rights without fear.

“We are trained to keep a close watch on the electioneering process. Our objective is to ensure that February 21 remains peaceful, transparent, and credible,” he said.

He explained that the 4,000 personnel would work in synergy with other security agencies operating in the territory to maintain law and order during and after the polls.

The Commandant also called on parents and guardians to caution their children against being used by desperate politicians to foment trouble, warning that the Corps would not tolerate any acts capable of undermining the electoral process.

He advised young people to resist financial inducements and adhere strictly to electoral regulations.

In a statement issued by Monica Ojobi, Command’s Public Relations Officer, Odumosu commended the National Peace Committee for what he described as a timely visit and lauded its sustained efforts toward promoting peaceful, free, and fair elections.

He pledged continued collaboration with civil society organisations, associations, and accredited observer groups to ensure a transparent electoral process in the FCT.

Asabe Ndahi, Project Manager of the National Peace Committee, , said the delegation engaged the Command on the evolving security landscape ahead of the Area Council elections.

She noted that the committee sought to share preliminary observations and explore areas of cooperation with security agencies.

Ndahi commended the NSCDC FCT Command for its level of preparedness and assured the Corps of sustained partnership, explaining that the committee relies heavily on field reports to strengthen its research and assess electoral developments.