Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps has deployed 20,850 personnel to protect lives and election materials during Saturday’s by-elections in 16 constituencies across 12 states.
In a statement on Friday, NSCDC Public Relations Officer, Babatunde Afolabi, said the Commandant-General, Ahmed Audi, directed the deployment to ensure a hitch-free exercise.
Audi said the NSCDC operatives would work in close collaboration with the police, which is the lead agency in election security, to safeguard election officials, voters, and materials.
The NSCDC CG urges state commandants to maintain professionalism, respect citizens’ fundamental rights, and ensure peaceful conduct at polling units.
“You are hereby directed to work in synergy with relevant sister security agencies within Anambra, Edo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Ogun, Oyo, Taraba, Kogi, Kano, Niger, and all states where the by-election would be held,” the statement partly reads.
The Civil Defence boss also urged eligible voters to turn out in large numbers and cast their votes peacefully on Saturday.
