The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Ondo State Command, has trained no fewer than 200 personnel on effective security during the forthcoming general election.
Mr Olayinka Olatundun, the NSCDC State Commandant said at the opening of the training in Akure on Wednesday that the participants would also be drilled on the Electoral Act.
The theme of the training was “Code of Conduct and Rules Of Engagement For Security Personnel on Election Duty.”
Olatundun said the personnel were drawn from all divisional and area commands of the corps in the state
He explained that the training was mandated by the Commandant General, Dr Ahmed Audi, as part of steps to ensure hitch-free election.
“We have to prepare for the Feb. 25 and March 11 elections, though we have been monitoring the campaigns by the parties and the candidates of the various parties.
“And we have been noticing some pocket of attacks and troubles, but we thank God that everything is under control.
“Therefore, it is very necessary for us to give information to our officers and men who will be on the field during the elections.
“This will enable them to know everything that is contained in the new electoral law and our roles as security agents.
“We must know our roles, what we need to do and what we are not empowered to do, so that we will not run foul of the law.
“We need to know how to work with INEC, party agents, observers and other security agencies so that the election will be fair, free and credible,” he said.
Olatundun, therefore, charged personnel of the NSDC to be professional and apolitical during the forthcoming general election.
He said it was imperative for the officers to protect the electorate and election materials at the polling booths.
“Our personnel need to be professional in their conduct, protect INEC officials and work with all the security agencies to make sure the election at the wards and collation centres are free, fair and credible,” he said.
The commandant, who assured the electorate of adequate security and safety during the elections, advised them not to sell their votes.
“We are not going to allow anybody to intimidate you but after voting you can go home or wait about 300 metres away from polling booths,” he added.
One of the trainees, Deputy Supretendent of Corps Adebayo Adedayo from Akure South Division, said that the training would help them in engaging the electorate and other stakeholders on the provisions of the electoral law.
“The training will help us to know our rights and rights of the electorate during the election,” he said.
Mr Emmanuel Olokan, an INEC official, presented a paper tittled ‘Inter agency Collaboration In Providing Basic Security In Election Duties’.
He called for proper collaboration with other security agents to forestall violence before, during and after the general election.
“You will agree with me that the country is going through trying times with regards to security of lives and property.
“Of more concern is the rate at which INEC facilities have been under incessant attacks by hoodlums in recent time.
“It became imperative for all the critical stakeholders to come together to identify areas of strength and weaknesses with the sole aim of complementing each other,” he said.