The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps has deployed 10,000 personnel from 10 state commands to reinforce security operations ahead of the August 15, 2026, Osun State governorship election.
The deployment, ordered by the Commandant-General of the NSCDC, Prof. Ahmed Audi, is scheduled to commence on Monday, August 10, 2026, as part of measures to ensure a peaceful and secure electoral process.
The NSCDC National Public Relations Officer, Afolabi Babawale, disclosed this in a statement issued on Sunday, August 9, 2026.
According to Babawale, the personnel, comprising uniformed and undercover officers, were drawn from the Oyo, Ondo, Ekiti, Ogun, Lagos, Kwara, Edo, Kogi, Delta and Federal Capital Territory commands, with about 1,000 personnel from each command.
“The Commandant-General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Prof. Abubakar Audi, has ordered the deployment of 10,000 personnel from 10 State Commands, alongside specialised tactical and operational units of the Corps, to reinforce security operations across Osun State,” the statement said.
The corps said the deployment would complement its existing personnel in Osun and provide security for voters, electoral officials, observers, journalists and residents across the state’s 30 local government areas.
Audi also directed the deployment of specialised units, including the Commandant-General’s Special Intelligence Squad, Special Weapons and Tactics Unit, Specialised Female Squad, Mining Marshals, Special Strike Force, Crack Squad and K9 Unit.
According to the statement, the specialised units would support intelligence gathering, crime prevention, protection of critical assets, crowd control and other election-related security operations.
To ensure effective coordination, the Deputy Commandant-General in charge of Operations, Ayuba Phillip, alongside designated Assistant Commandant-Generals and other senior officers, will relocate to Osun State to supervise the corps’ election security operations.
Audi said NSCDC personnel had been adequately briefed to remain professional, neutral and respectful of citizens’ rights throughout the election.
“As an agency saddled with the responsibility of protecting critical infrastructure and national assets, the safety and security of election materials and electoral officials are very critical alongside the electorates.
“You have the responsibility of ensuring unbiased synergy with other security agencies on election duty to actualise a free, fair and credible election.
“Our personnel have been properly briefed on the need to be professional, neutral and respectful in the discharge of their duties,” he said.
The NSCDC boss warned political thugs and other individuals who might attempt to disrupt the election, saying such activities would not be tolerated.
“The NSCDC, in collaboration with other security agencies on election duty, will not tolerate any activity intended to jeopardise the election process; criminal-minded persons and political thugs willing to disrupt the peaceful conduct of the election would face the wrath of the law as prescribed in the Electoral Act,” he said.
The corps urged political parties, candidates, supporters and residents to conduct themselves peacefully and allow the democratic process to take its course.
It also said it would work with the Nigeria Police Force, the military and other security agencies under the established inter-agency security framework to ensure effective coordination throughout the election period.
The deployment comes amid heightened security preparations for the August 15, 2026, governorship election, with the Nigeria Police Force earlier announcing the deployment of 15,000 personnel to Osun State.
