Inter-agency collaboration on election security very strong – NSCDC

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) says inter-agency collaboration on election security remains very strong ahead of the 2023 general elections.

The Corps Director of Public Relations, Mr Olusola Odumosu gave the assurance while reacting to concerns raised by INEC on Thursday that insecurity may affect the 2023 elections.

Odumosu said in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Abuja that the NSCDC was working with other security agencies to tackle all threats to the elections.

He said that the Corps, being a member of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Elections Security, would ensure the safety of citizens and that of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials and materials.

“No single agency has the monopoly of strategy to overcome security challenges, synergy, and cooperation among security agencies is the only way to achieve national security,” he added.

Odumosu said that the NSCDC has been working with the military and other security and law enforcement agencies in that regard.

He said that with the level of collaboration “those pockets of threats and security challenges in the areas INEC have raised concerns would be surmounted before the election year”.

The NSCDC spokesman added that officers and men of the Corps were undergoing strategic training, workshops, and conferences toward achieving a successful election.

“We will not relent but continue to appeal to Nigerians, who are great people with great aspirations for this country, to allow the system to work for the betterment of all.

“This is by giving peace a chance because no country can develop or thrive in a state of chaos or insecurity,” Odumosu said.