NSCDC assures of readiness for elections in Rivers

The Rivers State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, has said it has deployed 5,255 officers from the twenty-three Local Government Areas of the State for the Saturday Presidential and National Assembly elections.

The Rivers State Commandant, Michael Besong-Ogar assured of the Command’s readiness to provide adequate security before, during and after the 2023 General Elections.

Commandant Besong-Ogar, in a media briefing at the Command Headquarters in Port Harcourt, noted that the Corps’ preparedness was informed by the determination to remain apolitical, neutral and highly professional while on election duty.

He also noted that the training and re-training programs organized internally in conjunction with INEC, the Nigeria Police and other sister security agencies in the state, have helped NSCDC officers to be well informed on the election operational guidelines, the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022, the NSCDC Standard Operating Procedures, amongst others.

Commandant Besong-Ogar also promised that they would ensure the safety of sensitive and insensitive INEC materials, INEC ad hoc staff and the election environment.

The NSCDC State Commandant in a statement by the Public Relations Officer, Olufemi Ayodele called on critical stakeholders to consciously make concerted efforts in ensuring that the elections are free, fair and credible in Rivers State.

He urged the voters to remain peaceful and shun all forms of electoral violence as the security agencies would not hesitate to arrest anyone who disrupts the peaceful conduct of the elections.