The Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Olusola Odumosu, has expressed satisfaction with the conduct of voters and security personnel during the ongoing Area Council elections in the Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria.
Odumosu spoke with journalists on Saturday after monitoring several polling units across the territory, describing the exercise as peaceful and orderly.
“We have gone round and we have seen for ourselves and for me and for the security community, I can tell you that everything is going smoothly,” he said.
He noted that there was no cause for alarm in the locations visited, commending voters and security agencies for maintaining order.
“No cause for alarm, the voters conducted themselves in a very orderly manner as well as the security agencies.
“Apparently, before now, we have made very massive deployments to all the area councils and you could tell from all the places we have been,” he said.
Odumosu said security agencies would continue reviewing strategies to address emerging challenges in future elections, noting that each electoral cycle presents unique risks.
He said the election had so far progressed without incident but security personnel remained alert as results were expected to be announced.
“So far, I can tell that this area council election is going on smoothly. We are only awaiting the elections to be concluded and by the time the results are announced, that will be another phase. Then we will know what the atmosphere will be like.
“But from what we have seen, I don’t envisage any violence or chaos immediately after the election result is announced. But if there is to be any, we are duty-bound to arrest the situation.”
He stressed that the deployment of security personnel to polling units was preventive and strategic.
Odumosu had earlier warned officers against accidental discharge while monitoring and securing voters during the Area Council elections.
More than 1.5 million registered voters in the FCT are expected to elect chairmen and councillors across the Abuja Municipal Area Council, Bwari Area Council, Gwagwalada Area Council, Kuje Area Council, Abaji Area Council and Kwali Area Council.
A total of 68 positions are being contested, comprising six chairmanship seats and 62 councillorship positions.
The NSCDC said it deployed about 4,000 personnel across the territory to provide security before, during and after the polls.
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