The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps NSCDC says it will maintain robust synergy with other security agencies to protect Independent National Electoral Commission INEC facilities across the twenty seven local government areas of Borno state.
Borno state Commandant of the Corps Farouq Boyi stated this during a one day stakeholders sensitisation programme on election in Maiduguri.
The engagement is to update stakeholders in the electoral process on the state of preparedness of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps ahead of next month’s election.
Commandant Farouq Boyi assured that the Corps will complement the Nigeria Police been the lead agency in election security to provide a peaceful atmosphere for the conduct of election in the state.
According to him, the Command will deploy massively before, during and after the general elections to ensure a hitch free exercise, warning that any person or political party found violating the provisions of the law, will be summarily sanctioned.
“Democracy has come to stay in Nigeria and that the 2023 elections must hold in an atmosphere of peace without any appreciation by the voters, so that we can have good candidates elected” Boyi said.
Borno state INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner, Alhaji Mohammed Ibrahim said the Commission is ready to conduct transparent election, pointing out that the state office has taken delivery of almost all the materials needed for the election.
He explained that the 2023 election contains alot innovation as technology will be used in accreditation and transmission of election result.
“All the BVAS machines for Borno we have 5071 units and all the machines for those polling units are in my office and are being configured now. We are expecting the ballot papers any moment from now. Alhaji Ibrahim confirmed.
Director Security and Cabinet affairs Government House Maiduguri Mutawalli Mala Gana commended the NSCDC for organising the programme, describing it as the first of its kind.
He assured that the state government will collaborate with security agencies to ensure a peaceful election , calling on the media and political parties to intensify awareness on ills of political thuggery.
Vice Chairman Inter Party Advisory Council Abdulkadir Fema , urged political parties and their candidates to conduct their campaigns devoid of any form of violence and hate speech.
Correspondent Dauda Iliya reports that heads of security agencies, INEC, political parties, civil society organisations and religious leaders attended the programme.
Dauda Iliya