45,000 police, 10,250 NSCDC personnel – Massive security for Anambra election unfolds

By Ayox Ojo

Just like the police, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) on Thursday announced massive deployment of 10,250 personnel for the Anambra governorship election scheduled to hold on November 8, 2025.

The deployed personnel were drawn from the National Headquarters tactical squad, Awka, Anambra, Edo, Kogi, Imo, Abia, Delta, Rivers, Enugu, Ebonyi and Bayelsa state commands, NSCDC Public Relations Officer, Babatunde Afolabi, said in a statement on Thursday in Abuja.

Afolabi, in the statement quoted the NSCDC Commandant General (CG), Ahmed Audi, as telling the state Commandants that the early deployment was a proactively strategic move to secure the election.

“All intelligence and undercover personnel are to proceed with immediate effect and man the various identified flash points while the tactical forces are to commence round the clock patrol.

“You are hereby directed to be professional while discharging your duties with respect for fundamental human rights of citizens,” Audi said.

The NSCDC boss disclosed that the deployed personnel were drawn from the National Headquarters tactical squad, Awka, Anambra, Edo, Kogi, Imo, Abia, Delta, Rivers, Enugu, Ebonyi and Bayelsa state commands.

He charged the commandants and Heads of Tactical Squads to collaborate with the Nigeria Police Force, who is the lead agency in election duty.

Audi said that with effective Coordination, Cooperation and Collaboration amongst the security agencies, there would be a violence-free election in the state.

“Based on the resolution of the Inter-agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES), the NSCDC alongside other security agencies on election duty will monitor the election process and provide adequate security for election materials and electoral officials on duty,” he said.

Audi urged operatives deployed to various polling units and collation centers to adhere strictly with the already assigned posting order.

The CG however warned desperate politicians against insightful statements and actions that could trigger violence before, during, and after the governorship election.

Audi assured the public of a peaceful gubernatorial process without hitches.

Police deploy 45,000 officers

Recall that the Nigeria Police Force has also indicated that it will deploy 45,000 officers across Anambra State in preparation for the governorship election.

Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, made the announcement during a meeting of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security held on Tuesday at the Independent National Electoral Commission’s headquarters in Abuja.

Egbetokun was represented by Commissioner of Police Abayomi Shogunle, who heads the Elections Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation unit at the event.

He said, “The IGP will continue to ensure that the Nigeria Police Force provides adequate security for all electoral processes in all parts of Nigeria, and in particular regarding the upcoming governorship elections in Anambra State.

“The Nigeria Police Force is deploying 45,000 police officers from across the states of the federation to go to Anambra State to ensure that there is a peaceful election.”

He also said only operatives of federal security agencies would be involved in the election.

“The Nigeria Police Force will ensure that only officers and officials from the ICCES will be permitted to play a role in the Anambra state governorship election.

“So, all the vigilante groups and all the other agencies of the states would not be allowed to have any role to play during this election,” he added.

Meanwhile, the military and other para-military agencies are also expected to announce their deployments in the days ahead.