The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps Delta State Command, has put its operatives on alert across the state, as political campaigns formally began on Wednesday.
In a charge to the corps personnel, the Delta State Commandant of the NSCDC, Akinsanya Abiodun, noted that as an actor and also a stakeholder in election matters, it behoved on the NSCDC, “To not be political but neutral, firm, resolute and committed in the discharge of its duties.”
The state commandant’s exhortation was contained in a press statement issued by the NSCDC State Public Relations Officer, Emeka Okwechime, copies of which were made available to The PUNCH in Warri, on Wednesday.
According to the statement, the NSCDC State Commandant further said that, “The credibility of the 2023 general elections will be adjudged by the level of professionalism, operational guide, regiments, standards and conduct of party men, women, youths, stakeholders, politicians, political parties, civil societies, critical stakeholders including security agents, exhibited before, during and after the 2023 general elections.”
Abiodun warned politicians, youths and mischief makers to shun any form of violence, campaigns of calumny, character assassinations, malicious statements, hate speech, among others culpable of breeching the peace, but rather engage on issue-based campaign and proffer more solutions for a better Nigeria. He urged citizens not to take to crime but have a rethink, adding that the NSCDC is committed to deal decisively with such person or persons with, “the extant laws of the land.”
The state commandant also ordered all Area Commanders and the 25 Divisional Officers in Delta State, to work closely with officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission and political party leaders in their various local governments in formidable synergy and collaboration with other sister security agencies, in order to be aware of all political activities in the campaign time tables for the provision of adequate security protection.
“The idea is to address any form of conflicts in venues, dates and time during campaigns,” he explained.
Similarly, he warned all private security outfits established in the local communities under different structures and operations, to steer clear and allow the Electoral Security Actors to perform their legitimate duties.
Consequently, he charged the NSCDC operatives to ensure that they are not involved in, or get used by any political or local community actor for any selfish activity during the electioneering campaign and other electoral process. Insisting that such will amount to gross illegality and also a threat to the nation’s security architecture, jeopardising the national democratic process.
The statement read partly, “I therefore charge officers and men of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, to be neutral and remain apolitical as the political campaigns of various political parties and their candidates kick start nation-wide. I urge my personnel to remain firm, committed, professional and resolute in discharging their constitutional duties.
“It will be recalled that the NSCDC mandate is not limited to the protection of all government critical national assets and infrastructure, licensing, monitoring and regulating the activities of private security guards, but includes protection of electorates and professionals, orientation, early warnings, crisis and disaster management, among others.
“We must display our commitment to build public trust and confidence to maintain national peace, security and a determined zeal to advance the tenets of democracy, democratic values and national security.”
