Anambra: Civil Defence Corps Reinforces Security Ahead of Gubernatorial Elections
Chinwe Onuigbo, Awka.
The Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Anambra State Command, on Wednesday, March 15, 2023, held a strategic meeting of all the management team, area commanders and divisional officers to reinforce security ahead of Saturday elections for a more successful and hitch-free poll.
They also reviewed the presidential and National Assembly election in the state.
Addressing the participants, Commandant Isidore Chikere, the State Commandant of the NSCDC, Anambra State Command, said the meeting was convened to appraise the security arrangements for the first phase of the general elections.
He charged the officers to implement the action plan already framed for the second phase in providing security for the polling booths, INEC personnel, Ad hoc Staff, INEC sensitive/ non-sensitive materials, and the electorates.
Comdt. Chikere stressed the need for field officers to maintain close co-ordination with all the relevant stakeholders in election security to deal with any emergency in their respective jurisdictions.
He tasked them to keep close surveillance over critical national assets and infrastructure at their different areas of responsibilities, noting intelligence shared will ensure timely action to deal with any situation that may arise.
Mr. Isidore applauded the professional conduct of personnel deployed in the first phase of the election and charged them to work with coordinated effort to strengthen their function in containing law and order during Saturday’s election.
The State Command boss tasked them to monitor the deployment of staff under them as the command will not fail to sanction any unprofessional behaviour.
“We don’t align to any political party or individual and, if anything, ours is to ensure the provision of a conducive environment to ensure free, fair and credible elections.
“Therefore, all hands should be on deck to ensure a violence-free poll on Saturday.
“We have perfected our deployment, covering all the polling units in the state to ensure that no stone is left unturned security-wise,” he concluded.
The meeting ended with discussions on manpower deployment, monitoring and establishment of helplines for complaint redressal and evaluation of security grid put in place.
Edited by Amaka E. Nliam
