Off-season election: Anambra NSCDC cautions on neutrality, deploys personnel, others to Imo

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

The Anambra State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps has warned its officers and men deployed to Imo State for Saturday November 11 off-season election to guard against any form of compromise, and adhere to neutrality in their actions.

The State Commandant, NSCDC, Edwin Osuala, stated this while addressing officers and men of the command at the state command headquarters in Awka on Tuesday, before the deployment.

Osuala

The command said it is deploying human and operational assets to complement other security agencies in the state, warned that personnel found wanting will be decisively dealt with.

In a release signed by DSC Okadigbo Edwin, Public Relations Officer, NSCDC, Anambra Command made available to Nation Update said secured and peaceful election in Imo is a collective task.

“I assemble you here today to brief you ahead of your deployment to IMO State, First, I want to inform you that the Commandant General of NSCDC, Dr. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, has charged officers and men to join forces with sister agencies to provide the needed security for the movement of election materials, INEC Officials and the electorates to freely cast their votes peacefully.

“This is a national assignment and I expect you to be professional, civil, and polite but firm in the discharge of you duties and responsibilities.

“Let me remind you that the success of Imo guber election is tied to the safe and secure environment that we as security agencies will provide during the process. Therefore, I expect you to conduct yourselves within the framework of the Code of conduct and rules of Engagement for Security Personnel on Electoral Duty. You are to exhibit high sense of integrity and respect the rights of citizens during the exercise” he stated.

The NSCDC Anambra State helmsman added that it is a routine duty to support other commands when the need arises , hence the election in Imo State requires support to complement the security arrangement already in place.

He called on the good people of Imo State to remain law- abiding and assist security agencies in the maintenance of peaceful, safe and secure environment before, during and after the election through prompt reporting of any suspicious movement of person(s ) or incident of crime in their areas to the nearest Security formation.

Mr. Osuala while urging Imo citizens to come out en Mass to exercise their franchise said the NSCDC and other security agencies are on red alert to avert any unruly act capable of disrupting the peaceful conduct of the election.