Abuja- Mr Abba Moro, Minister of Interior, has inaugurated 50 operational vehicles for the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to ensure security during and after the general elections.
Moro performed the inauguration on Thursday in Abuja.
He stressed the need for violence-free elections and urged the NSCDC officials and other para-military personnel deployed for the elections to be non partisan and professional in the discharge of their duty.
“As security officers, you are not unaware of the importance the present administration attaches to free, fair and credible elections which is violence-free,
“In the light of this, I urge you to go out there and distinguish yourselves by ensuring that the electorates cast their votes in an environment that is free of any fear of molestation or intimidation,’’ he said.
The minister also urged the NSCDC to work closely with other security agencies to ensure peaceful and credible elections and also the protection of government facilities even after the elections.
He said that the Hilux vehicles which were part of Federal Government’s intervention to checkmate oil theft, would be deployed to ensure better security of facilities in the oil sector, after the elections.
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Earlier, the Commandant-General of the NSCDC, Dr Ade Abolurin, assured of the Corps’ readiness to provide adequate security during and after the elections.
He enjoined officers to be of good conduct and be civil in dealing with the electorate during the elections.
“I want to enjoin officers and men of the corps to be alert and alive to their responsibilities during the general elections.
“As security personnel, you should not compromise your integrity but work assiduously as patriotic citizens and ambassadors of excellence wherever you are deployed to serve,’’ Abolurin said.
He said over 55,000 regular personnel of the corps and sniffer dogs had be deployed for the elections.
He also said that about 120,000 non regular personnel would be deployed across the country for the polls. (NAN)
