Anambra Election: NSCDC Boss Reads Riot Act, Charges Personnel On Professionalism

NSCDC

Ahmed Audi, Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), has read the Riot Act to personnel deployed to Anambra for the Nov. 6 governorship election.

Audi during a situational visit to Anambra on Friday, charged all personnel deployed for the election security coverage to be professional as they apply minimum force during the exercise.

This is contained in a statement made available to newsmen by the Corps’ Public Relations Officer, Mr Olusola Odumosu.

According to the statement, Audi said that the rules of engagement must be strictly adhered to and observe highest level of professionalism, civility, decorum and respect for the rights of all voters.

He noted that voters have the right to exercise their franchise to elect the next governor of their choice.

“The Corps has a duty to protect lives and property of all citizens of the state irrespective of their political affinity.

“NSCDC is apolitical in nature, civil in orientation, but very dogged in its operations,” he said.

The CG said that the Corps was working in synergy with sister agencies to forestall any form of attack on voters, security agencies, sensitive and non-sensitive election materials.

“INEC permanent and ad-hoc staff and all other apparatus’ deployed to ensure a hitch free election,” he stated.

He further appealed to all eligible voters to embrace peace and eschew violence or anything that was capable of jeopardizing the democratic process.

“There will be an arrest of any breach of peace or vandalism of critical national assets and infrastructure of government before, during and after the election,” he said.

The NSCDC boss urged the people to go about their legitimate businesses without any fear of violence or deadly attacks as adequate security had been put in place within the state.

Audi reiterated the arms bearing personnel that accidental discharge was not contained in the Corps’ Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), as such, no one should be found wanting.

“Any personnel that takes law into his hands by killing or maiming anyone unjustly will be seriously dealt with,” he warned.

The CG finally assured the deployed personnel of the FG’s zeal to ensure proper welfare and safety of all duty men and officers.

“This is to motivate and encourage you to shun all vices of corruption and compromise capable of tarnishing the hard-earned reputation and integrity of the Corps.

“What is due to Caesar must be given to Caesar and the era of monkey dey work, baboon dey chop is over under my administration,” the CG said.

The NSCDC had deployed 20,000 of its personnel from Anambra and other neighboring state commands to all nooks and crannies of the state for undisguised information gathering operations.