The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps has deployed 10,210 personnel and specialised tactical units to Osun State ahead of Saturday’s governorship election.

The Commandant-General of the NSCDC, Prof. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, ordered the deployment as part of measures to strengthen security and ensure the safety of voters, electoral officials, observers, journalists and residents.

The Corps’ National Public Relations Officer, Babawale Afolabi, disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday in Abuja.

According to the statement, personnel from the Oyo, Ondo, Ekiti, Ogun, Lagos, Kwara, Edo, Kogi, Delta and Federal Capital Territory commands will reinforce the Osun State Command.

It said the deployment includes uniformed and undercover personnel, with about 1,000 officers from each of the listed commands.

Audi also directed the deployment of specialised units, including the CG’s Special Intelligence Squad, Special Weapons and Tactics Unit, Specialised Female Squad, Mining Marshals, Special Strike Force, Crack Squad and K9 Unit.

The Corps said the units would focus on intelligence gathering, crime prevention, protection of critical assets, crowd control and other security responsibilities.

To coordinate the operation, the Deputy Commandant-General in charge of Operations, Ayuba Phillip, alongside designated Assistant Commandants-General and other senior officers, will relocate to Osun State.

Audi assured residents that the NSCDC would remain professional, impartial and respectful of citizens’ rights throughout the electoral process.

He warned political thugs and other criminal elements against attempting to disrupt the election.

“Our personnel have been properly briefed on the need to be professional, neutral and respectful in the discharge of their duties,” Audi said.

He added that individuals who attempted to jeopardise the electoral process would face the law as prescribed by the Electoral Act.

The NSCDC urged political parties, candidates, supporters and residents to conduct themselves peacefully and allow the democratic process to take its course.

It said it would work with the Nigeria Police Force, military and other security agencies under the established inter-agency framework to maintain security across Osun’s 30 local government areas.

The Corps also urged residents to remain calm and vigilant and promptly report suspicious activities to security authorities.