By Tony Adibe
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Enugu State has commended the entire electorate and residents of the State for a “peaceful and obedient disposition” during Saturday’s elections in the state.
The Enugu State Commandant of NSCDC, Mr Mohammed Dada, gave the commendation on Sunday in Enugu while briefing newsmen after monitoring the elections with commanders of other security service in the three senatorial districts of the state. Dada said that the state was generally peaceful during the elections, adding that all stakeholders and the people worked and persevered to have violence -free elections.
He said: “I commend all the security agencies, INEC, media, electorate, both foreign and local observers as well as other agencies and organizations that provided one service or the other that saw to the smooth conduct of the elections.”
Apart from some reported cases of late arrival of INEC staff and electoral materials which led to the late commencement of voting processes in some areas, the commandant said election was generally rancour-free. He attributed this to the collective resolve of all in the state towards nation building and having a progressive country.
Dada said the NSCDC Command in the state contributed not less than 2,307 personnel to the pool of security operatives (both plain clothes and uniformed men) that took part in the elections in the state.
He said: “This is apart from the very senior officers of the Corp who were led by Deputy Commandant General Nnamdi Nwinyi from the national headquarters of the Corps. I thank the Commandant General of the Corps, C-G Ahmed Audi, for his kind disposition towards NSCDC Enugu State Command in particular.
“Apart from sending the team of very senior officers to monitor the elections in the state, the C-G had earlier provided the command with some logistic support that made the national assignment much easier.”
He appealed to the people of the state to remain vigilant, security conscious and peaceful all through the upcoming elections, urging the residents to report any act of criminality or suspicious persons/movement to security agencies for prompt response. On arrest during the elections, the commandant said that there was no single arrest as the people conducted themselves in a peaceful, matured, and obedient manner.
“I must thank Almighty God that there was no bloodshed, violence, protest, or major disagreement throughout the election period in the state. On behalf of my C-G, I must congratulate Nigerians especially the electorate and good people of Enugu State for successful elections,” he added.
