With less than three weeks to the country’s general elections, officers and men of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) have been warned to remain neutral during the forthcoming general elections.
The Corps Commandant, General Abdullahi Gana Muhammadu who sounded the warning when he paid a working visit to the North-West Commands of the Corps, said, the NSCDC does not belong to any political party and therefore, should remain neutral during and after the elections.
The Civil Defence boss in a statement by the Corps spokesman, Emmanuel Okeh, cautioned his officers against indulging in illegal duties stressing that anybody caught would be sacked and made to face the wrath of the law.
Addressing Corps members at the Kaduna, Katsina and Kano states’ commands respectively, Muhammad Gana reiterated the need for the personnel to be patriotic and disciplined in the discharge of their duties.
While reminding them of federal government’s resolve and commitment to ensuring free ,fair and credible polls, devoid of violence and rancour, he said, “You are duty bound to provide security for electoral materials, INEC officials, ad-hoc staff and election observers.”
Gana who expressed confidence in the conduct of his personnel going by their performances in previous elections, admonished them to be shining example among security agencies in the country.
According to him, “Politicians will make dangerous and very tempting advances to you with a view to compromise your integrity, do not compromise, remain incorruptible and say no to partisan politics, the whole world is watching us, we cannot afford to fail, hence, our conduct must be in conformity with international best practices.”
Gana, charged members of the Corps to put serious premium on the mandate of the organisation, which compels them to ensure adequate protection of lives and property of Nigerians and foreigners residing within the country, especially during this period of electioneering campaign.
He advised them to “make political neutrality your slogan. On no account should any officer be found working for, or aiding any political party on or before the day of election.”
He encouraged Corps personnel to work in synergy with other security agencies such as the police, DSS, the armed forces, immigration, road safety and all others that would be deployed to guarantee security during and after the elections.
The Corps boss urged parents and guardians to ensure that their wards are not used as political thugs to foment trouble or truncate the electoral process.
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