In order to stop attacks on INEC facilities or materials nationally as the country approaches the general elections of 2023, Dr. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, Commandant General (CG) of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), has issued a directive to Zonal Commanders and State Commandants.
The last CG’S Quarterly Conference for Zonal Commanders and State Commandants for year 2022 was conducted at the National headquarters, Sauka, Abuja, and according to the Director of Public Relations for the NSCDC, DCC Olusola Odumosu, Audi issued this order.
Instructing Zonal and State leaders to turn on their intelligence antennas, the NSCDC boss threatened them with accountability for any attacks that took place within their borders.
“We decided to gather our colleagues from the Zones and States to assess what we have been doing thus far and then re-echo to ourselves, the necessity to strengthen our efforts in combating this monster, insecurity,” Audi stated.
“You are aware that it is our obligation to secure and defend vital national infrastructure and assets in accordance with the provisions of our Acts.
If an attack occurs on an INEC facility in any state, we will hold our Commandants accountable. Just collaborate closely with your police counterpart and other security services to safeguard these INEC offices.
Damage control is typically capital-intensive, so it is preferable to prevent problems from occurring in the first place.
The Corps has already started planning for effective and adequate security to ensure free, fair, credible, and transparent general elections in 2023, the CG said.
He reaffirmed the Corps’ commitment to using every legal tool at its disposal to ensure that criminals who have come up with innovative ways to target INEC facilities are brought to justice.
The country will start making serious general election preparations in the next two to three weeks, thus this meeting is pertinent, vital, and appropriate.
“Non-state actors won’t ever be able to outweigh the strength of the state. In order to maintain the government’s faith in us, we must live up to expectations, he said.
In order to protect the populace and set the stage for a set of elections that go off without a hitch the following year, the CG authorized State Commandants to actively cooperate with the Police, the leading agency in internal security, and other pertinent agencies in the area of joint operations.
At this critical juncture, he instructed Zonal Commanders to prepare by taking complete control of the States that were under their purview and reporting to his office on daily actions in their respective zones.
Effective state coordination is required, as are minute-by-minute updates. To keep your staff informed on the electoral laws outlined in the Electoral Act as amended, you must schedule workshops for them.
“They must be familiar with the ground rules. Our stance is known to you. You should not have any political views. The CG cautioned, “You are on your own if you choose to be partisan.
The CG also noted that during the upcoming celebrations, a significant number of people will be deployed to strengthen security in key sites around the nation.
“This is a joyous time of year. It will be jam-packed with events, therefore the NSDC will send a lot of staff to sensitive locations including places of worship, recreation areas, and other hangouts to ensure Nigerians’ security and safety.
With regard to the operations of bandits, kidnappers, and rebels, the year 2022 has been quite difficult.
The NSCDC will nonetheless leave a lasting impression in the fulfillment of its primary purpose and other national duties, despite the audacious obstacles.
“We must be vigilant since the holiday season will usher in the election year, and as such, we must live up to our designation as Civil Defence by being kind and civil to Nigerians, politicians, and political parties,” he continued.
The conference, according to the CG, is essential for the top management of the NSCDC because it gives them the opportunity to map out a fresh course for carrying out their responsibilities effectively throughout the year.
He complimented State Commandants, Zonal Commanders, and other Corps officers and members on their successes and accomplishments to date and praised Interior Minister Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola for his support and leadership throughout the year.
