Pix: Commandant Gbegan Agun with Isiaka Mustapha shortly after the interview
During an exclusive interview, with Isiaka Mustapha of People’s Security Monitor, Edo State NSCDC boss, Commandant Gbenga Agun explained in detail how NSCDC recorded resounding success at the just concluded Edo governorship election.
Excerpts:
“I’m so delighted that once again the Edo governorship election has afforded the NSCDC, under the able leadership of our Commandant General, Dr. Ahmed Audi, the opportunity to prove its worth in terms of providing security within the ambit of its mandate. Efficiency and ethical compliance were obviously best displayed before, during, and after the recent governorship election in Edo State.
“The NSCDC, under the able supervision of the representatives of the CG, DCG Ayuba, the Corps’ Operations Head, joined by ACG Ayinla, myself, and other top officers of the Corps, ensured the proper and adequate utilization of operatives and resources available to achieve success in the election.
“We ensured that the electorate’s mandate was sufficiently guarded, which explains the attainment of the much-desired credibility for the election. Maximum security was provided for both sensitive and non-sensitive INEC materials, including the protection of the lives of INEC operatives and the thousands of NYSC members engaged for the election assignment.
“Ahead of the election, the NSCDC operatives had embarked on massive intelligence gathering. All the flash points had been identified, and the forces against the security of the election had also been neutralized. Our operatives were visibly on the ground, and ahead of election day, we had put all the seemingly disruptive elements under control.
”As you already know, more than 6,000 operatives of the NSCDC have been redeployed to take charge of the Edo governorship election. We have ensured that they are well distributed across all three senatorial districts in the state. Additionally, all INEC facilities are being guarded by our personnel.
“Additionally, adequate and specific attention was also provided for all other government infrastructures in the state before, during, and after the election. We actually went around on election day to ensure that things were in order. Even after the election, we never rested on our oars, as the tactical team was asked to stay behind in case of an emergency security situation.
“Without mincing words, let me emphasize that the NSCDC actually prepared for the election, and this explains our resounding successes. The success at the just-concluded election in Edo is indicative of what should be expected, security-wise, in the 2027 general election, not only from the NSCDC but also from other sister security agencies in Nigeria.”