Abdullahi Muhammadu, the Commandant General, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), has directed the immediate deployment of 10,000 personnel to Edo, ahead of the Sept. 10 governorship election in the state.
The information is contained in a statement issued by the Corps Spokesperson, Emmanuel Okeh, on Friday in Abuja.
The NSCDC boss also ordered the acting Deputy Commandant General, Operations, Hillary Madu, to relocate to Edo, to coordinate operations for a violent hitch-free election.
Muhammadu said Madu would be assisted by two Assistant Commandant Generals in Charge of Zone G, Benin and Zone E, Owerri, with five additional Commandants from neighbouring states.
The commandant general stated that personnel would be re-deployed from Kogi, Ondo, Delta, Bayelsa and Anambra
commands respectively, to complement officers and men of the Edo command to ensure maximum security during the election.
He advised the personnel to work in synergy with other sister security agencies to ensure peaceful conduct of the election.
He warned against acts of misconduct and insubordination, saying anyone found wanting would be summarily dealt with.
Muhammadu also gave approval for the deployment of sniffer dogs, personnel from specialised units such as the SWAT, CBRN, CTU, Undercover and Special Forces to protect critical infrastructure and national assets in the state during and after the elections.
He then urged politicians to play by the rules and avoid using thugs and miscreants to unleash violence during the elections.
“I call on all politicians in Edo to note that achieving victory is not a do or die affair, but victory comes from God alone.
“The winner should accept it in humility while the loser should accept it in good faith. There is always another time to achieve success,’’ he said.
Muhammadu urged the electorate to come out en masse to exercise their franchise without any fear or favour and in doing so, should vote the candidate of their choice without any form of coercion.
NAN.
