The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) says it has deployed 4,650 personnel as well as sniffer dogs for the governorship election in the state.
Commandant of the NSCDC in Imo, Matthew Ovye disclosed this while addressing newsmen in Owerri, on Wednesday, 3 days before the governorship elections in the state.
Ovye said the 1,650 personnel were drawn from the Imo Command while an additional 3,000 personnel were redeployed to the state for the purpose of the election.
He added that the NSCDC would ensure the protection of critical national assets and government infrastructure as well as election materials, corps members on election duty, staff members of the Independent National Electoral Commission and the electorate.
According to him, the Corps’ Commandant-General, Dr Ahmed Audi already read the riot act and warned those planning to disrupt peace in the state on Election Day to think otherwise.
“We will match violence for violence, we are combat ready and crack ready and we will synergise with the police in providing security “, he said.
He warned personnel of the Corps on election duty to remain apolitical, professional and accessible to the electorate, adding that punitive measures would be taken against anyone found wanting.
“We must remain apolitical in our dealings because we do not have a preferred candidate. Anyone found wanting will be adequately punished.
“You must not be unnecessarily overbearing on the electorate and nobody must be disenfranchised.
“Imo must be peaceful and calm, the state is bigger than any single individual “, he said.
He, however, warned contestants and their supporters to play by laid down rules or be resisted by security personnel.
