Nigeria: Osun Poll - NSCDC Deploys 10,210 Personnel, Tactical Units

What the report says

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps has sent 10,210 personnel and specialised tactical units to Osun State ahead of the governorship election, according to This Day via AllAfrica. The deployment began on Monday and is intended to support broader security planning for a vote that authorities want to be peaceful, free and credible.

The report says the force includes about 10,000 officers drawn from neighbouring state commands, along with specialist teams such as intelligence, SWAT, female, mining, strike, crack and K9 units. Their role is to protect voters, election officials, journalists, observers, election materials and residents from intimidation, violence and other disruptions. The NSCDC said its operations will cover all 30 local government areas in the state.

Commandant General Ahmed Audi ordered the deployment and urged personnel to remain professional, neutral and respectful of citizens’ rights. He also warned political thugs and other criminal actors against attempts to interfere with the election, saying they could face prosecution under the Electoral Act. Senior officers will relocate to Osun to supervise the operation, which is being carried out alongside the police, the military and other security agencies.

The move reflects heightened security preparations around the vote, a common feature of major elections in Nigeria, where officials often seek to prevent clashes, ballot disruption and voter intimidation.