As the people of Anambra State prepare to cast their votes, the Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Prof. Ahmed Audi has reaffirmed the Corps’ dual commitment to protecting lives and securing Critical National Assets and Infrastructure (CNAI) while ensuring a peaceful and credible electoral process.
Speaking through the Deputy Commandant General in charge of Operations, DCG Philip Ayuba, the CG assured citizens that NSCDC personnel deployed for election duty have been thoroughly briefed to operate with professionalism, neutrality, and utmost respect for human rights throughout the exercise.
He said: “Our presence at the polling stations is to protect, not to interfere. We are there to create an atmosphere where voters feel safe, confident, and free to exercise their civic rights.”
He noted that the Corps’ responsibility extends beyond providing physical security to ensuring the protection of critical installations such as electricity, water supply, communication facilities, and other public utilities that support the electoral process and national stability.
“Our mandate compels us to safeguard the assets that keep the nation running, because the credibility of any election depends not just on the safety of voters, but also on the protection of the systems that sustain it,” the CG added.
Audi emphasized that the NSCDC remains steadfast in its constitutional role of protecting lives, securing public infrastructure, and promoting peace during national assignments. He charged officers to maintain vigilance around INEC facilities, government buildings, and other strategic locations, warning that any compromise or political involvement would attract strict disciplinary action.
The Commandant General further assured that the NSCDC will continue to work in synergy with the Nigeria Police Force, the Armed Forces, and other security agencies under the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) to deliver a smooth and transparent process.
He appealed to voters to remain calm, law-abiding, and cooperative with security agencies, reiterating that their safety, the protection of vital assets, and the credibility of the election remain the Corps’ top priorities.
