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Over 360,000 security operatives are expected to provide security for both man and material during the February general elections. They would be deployed by the Nigeria Police and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, (NSCDC). While the Nigeria Police would provide about 300,000 personnel the NSCDC would provide 60,000.
The Inspector General of Police, IGP Suleiman Abba and his NSCDC counterpart, Prof Ade Abolurin made the disclosure weekend during the end of a two-day conference, with the theme: “Nigeria 2015 Elections and Beyond: Roles of State and Non-State Actors in Mitigating Violence in Elections.”
The event was organised by the Savannah Centre for Diplomacy, Democracy and Development (SCDDD) in conjunction with the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS).
Abba said about 300 000 of his officers have been trained in partnership with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and development partners while Commandant General (CG), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Prof. Ade Abolurin disclosed that 60, 000 of his officers will also participate in securing life and properties during the election.
Abolurin also added that NSCDC has completed arrangements to import 25 sniffer dogs from the United States to detect likely explosives component at the election venues.
The Department of State Security (DSS) which was represented by an operative, Mrs. Mary Otubu however, did not disclose the number of DSS operatives earmarked for the exercise. She assured that the service would ensure safety of both the electorate and government officials.
“Policing the society has always been a challenge. All the police officers will be deployed, over 300, 000 officers will be used.
“The commonwealth has also offered to help us in that respect of training by 21st of this month. Some of the trainings are even train the trainers until it gets to the last person on their roles during the election,” Abba said.
The IGP who harped on the role of the police to provide security before, during and after the election, however called on politicians to conduct themselves in manners that would not jeopardise the electoral process.
He added that the Federal Government has procured non leather weapons and about 2000 patrol vehicles to ensure the police performed its duties in the election period effectively.
The police boss who also spoke on when operatives should use firearm during the poll, said the time to use lethal weapon should depend on the discretion of the officers but in compliance with the Police Act.
“It is you that will determine when to use your weapon. If your attacker aim at your head, it is left to the officer to use his weapon or not. Individual police officers shall be held responsible for misuse of firearm,” Abba said.
Abolurin who was represented by the Deputy Commandant General, Operations, Evan Ewurum said all officers in the intelligence unit of the corps would be deployed.
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