The Kwara Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has announced the deployment of 3,000 personnel across the 16 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state in preparation for Saturday's local government elections.
In a statement issued on Thursday in Ilorin, the State Commandant, Mr. Umar Mohammed, said the personnel, drawn from the State Headquarters, Area Commands and Divisional offices, are assigned to various electoral units.
According to him, the mission is to guarantee a safe and peaceful electoral process in collaboration with other security agencies.
He stressed that no form of violence, vandalism or political abuse will be tolerated.
“Our primary responsibility is to create an environment in which local elections can be conducted peacefully, free from violence, intimidation, vote theft and any other disruptive actions.
“We will not tolerate any form of political violence, vandalism or any action aimed at disrupting the electoral process,” Mohammed said.
The Commander assured that all deployed personnel had received comprehensive information and were prepared for their duties.
He said special units including Operation Harmony, Anti-Terrorism Unit and Women Squad will patrol the state to beef up security.
Mohammed also noted that officers from the Anti-Vandalism Unit and the Department of Infrastructure and Critical National Assets have also been assigned to safeguard government assets and prevent vandalism.
“In addition, officers from the Anti-Vandalism Unit and the Department of Critical National Assets and Infrastructure were deployed to monitor and protect government assets in order to prevent vandalism during and after the elections.”
Mohammed called on political parties and citizens to cooperate with security agencies and avoid actions that could jeopardize the electoral process.
THE WHISTLER reports that Saturday's local government elections will feature candidates from five political parties: the All Progressives Congress (APC), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the Accord Party.
