In preparation for the upcoming Ondo State governorship election on November 16, 2024, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has confirmed a deployment of 6,000 officers across the state to secure a peaceful and organized voting process.
This action is part of a comprehensive strategy by the NSCDC to provide full security coverage throughout the election period.
The Commandant General of the NSCDC, Dr. Ahmed Audi, announced the deployment plan in a statement released by Babawale Afolabi, the Corps’ spokesperson, on Sunday. Dr. Audi emphasized the NSCDC’s commitment to a safe election environment, ensuring both voters and election workers are protected from any form of disruption or violence.
NSCDC officers have been mobilized from Ondo as well as from neighboring states, including Ekiti, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Lagos, Edo, and Delta, to increase manpower for the election. The officers will monitor all 18 Local Government Areas, 203 Wards, and 3,933 polling units, including the state’s coastal regions.
In addition to general security, these officers will work closely with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to protect election staff, ensure the safe delivery of election materials, and safeguard key national assets across the state.
“The personnel drawn from the host state, neighbouring states, and the National Headquarters include the Special Female Squad, Counter-Terrorism Unit, Agro Rangers Unit, Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosives Unit, K-9 Unit, Marine Unit, CG’s Mining Marshall, Election Monitoring Unit, as well as the Intelligence and Investigation Department.
“There are comprehensive and strategic measures already in place, aimed at forestalling all forms of political violence and thuggery before, during, and after the elections.
“You must work in collaboration with the Nigeria Police, which is the lead agency in election security,” the statement added.
