Lagos state command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), has moved to secure the offices and facilities of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) across the state.
The action followed an order by the Commandant General (NSCDC ), CG Ahmed Abubakar Audi’s order made at the last CG’s Quarterly Conference to Zonal Commanders and State Commandants to stop attacks on INEC facilities across the country.
Audu had stated that it it the Corps’ duty to provide security and protection for critical national assets and infrastructure belonging to the three tiers of government.
The Lagos state Commandant, Edenabu Okoro Eweka in a statement by the spokesperson, Abolurin Olueaseun emailed to ASHENEWS on Thursday, moved to deploy armed personnel to beef up security in the two INEC offices, located, at Sabo, Yaba and the Surulere area of the state.
According to the statement, the new NSCDC attached to the INEC facilities in the state, were led by Deputy Superintendent of Corps ( DSC ) Afolabi Muyideen who presented the newly deployed, personnel to the INEC authorities on Wednesday, 27th December, 2022.
DSC Muyideen told INEC authorities that the officers were there to prevent crime, such as burning of offices, snatching and destruction of electoral materials, violence against INEC staff, mob actions, rival differences, political rascality, gangsterism and hooliganism et ce tera during and after electioneering processes in the country.
“The Command has also put proactive structures and measures in place to ensure total deployment of surveillance, intelligence and investigative mechanisms, in a bid to stop crimes before they occur as we move closer to election period.
“The Command has also immediately, with this deployment responded, to the new Commandant’s General order to ensure total protection of INEC facilities and materials, including the safety of their staff in the state,” Eweka said.
He charged the newly deployed personnel, to INEC offices in the state, to familiarise themselves, with other security agencies at the facilities, to perform their duties with great caution and ensure they pursue common goals, in a view to get cheap and clinical operational results during and after the elections without blemish.
