In a statement on Wednesday by Babawale Afolabi, the NSCDC National Public Relations Officer, the Corps said the massive deployment was in line with its statutory responsibility to safeguard lives, property and critical national assets during the election.
According to the statement, the security personnel have been drawn from several neighbouring state commands, including Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Lagos, Kwara, Edo, Ogun and Kogi, while additional operational support has been mobilised from the Corps’ Zone 11 and Zone 6 formations to strengthen security coverage across the state.
The NSCDC said the deployment would be complemented by the immediate mobilisation of its specialised tactical formations, which have been placed on high alert to respond swiftly to any security threats before, during and after the poll.
Among the units deployed are the Commandant General’s Special Intelligence Squad (SIS), the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) unit, the Specialized Female Squad, Mining Marshals, the Special Force and Crack Squad, as well as the Corps’ K9 Unit equipped with specially trained dogs for detection, surveillance and crowd-control operations.
To coordinate the security operation, the Commandant General of the Corps has appointed Ayuba Phillips, Deputy Commandant General in charge of Operations, to represent him and personally oversee the election security exercise in Ekiti State.
The Commandant General said the Corps remained fully prepared to protect the integrity of the electoral process and prevent any form of violence or disruption during the exercise.
“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 specialised squads and tactical forces are fully briefed and strategically positioned to maintain absolute law and order,” the statement said.
The NSCDC further disclosed that it is working closely with other security agencies to provide comprehensive security coverage throughout the election period, noting that all deployed officers had been instructed to maintain professionalism, neutrality and strict compliance with the Electoral Act while carrying out their duties.
The Corps also called on residents of Ekiti State to participate peacefully in the electoral process without fear of intimidation, assuring them of adequate protection.
It urged voters and community members to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious activities to security agencies to ensure a successful and peaceful election.
