By Bode Olagoke
Abuja
Commandant-General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Abdullahi Gana Muhammadu, has directed the immediate deployment of 20,000 personnel, sniffer dogs and other specialised units for the forthcoming Edo governorship election scheduled for tomorrow.
The CG also directed the acting deputy commandant general operations, Hillary Kelechi Madu, to relocate his office to Edo state for the purpose of the election in order to guarantee free and fair election without violence, rancour and gerrymandering.
The Acting DCG is to be assisted by two Assistant Commandant Generals in Charge of Zone G Benin and Zone E Owerri with five Commandants drawn from the neighbouring states, while the personnel are to be re-deployed from Kogi, Ondo, Delta, Bayelsa and Anambra state Commands, respectively, to complement the deployment of personnel from Edo state Command in the forthcoming assignment to all nooks and crannies of the state.
He advised the personnel to work in synergy with other sister security agencies in order to ensure peaceful conduct of election without rancour and any personnel caught or found involving in any act of misconduct would be dealt with in accordance to the law and ethics of the service.
Gana, according to a statement signed yesterday in Abuja by the NSCDC spokesman, urged the people of Edo to come out en masse to exercise their franchise without fear or favour, and in doing so, should vote the candidate of their choice without any form of coercion.
He called on parents to be on the lookout for their children and wards, and ensure that they were of the best behaviour ever.
The statement also charged the youth to shun thuggery and “all forms of vices that negate peaceful conduct of elections.”
