Olu Samuel, Lokoja

The Kogi state command of the Nigerian Securities and Civil Defence Corps,NSCDC has said that 3,000 personnel in addition to other Security agencies will be deployed to provide Security cover for the forthcoming November 2023 Election.

The state commandant on the NSCDC,Commandant,Ahmad Gandi disclosed this on Wednesday while briefing journalists on the activities of the Agency since assumption of office.

He said that the Command has concluded plans to give adequate coverage adding that no stone would be left unturned to ensure that the election is hitch free.

Ghandi noted that within the period of assumption of duty in the state, he was able to prosecute 24 cases and secured over 90% convictions.

The Coommandant also paraded a 30-year-old Yomi Sunday who allegedly specializes in vandalizing armor cable in Mopa Muro local Government areas of the state.

Ahmad Gandi said the culprit was arrested by the vigilante group and handed over to the Corps in Mopa Muro local Government areas of the state.

He said , the vandalization has regrettably put seven communities in Kogi West including Aiyeteju – Mopa, Amuro, Agbajogun – Lodo, and others within the national grid into darkness

The suspect who was paraded with eight wrapped bundles of the cables for easy transportation, said, he used a cutter to cut and peel the electric cable with petroleum products (PMs) scooped into half a liter two bottles to wash his hands after the operation.

According to him, he was lured into the business by one unnamed businessman who came to his community every Sunday and promised to pay him handsome returns for the products.

He added that the prospective buyer told him that he uses the cable to produce earrings, Bangles, and other ornaments, lamenting that he was caught on his first operation.

Yomi Sunday, a father of five children and a motorcycle mechanic, hails from Itakete- Ide, a, sleepy town in Mopa Amuro LGA regretted his action, and called for clemency as he promised not to engage in such despicable activities.

The commandant while warning criminals to desist from their nefarious activities, said the corps is sufficiently prepared to stamp out crimes and criminality across the state.

He however called on the citizenry to provide the command with timely and reliable information to enable the corps to fight crime and criminality, saying the fight against predatory elements is a collective action, adding that the command will treat every information with utmost confidentiality.