The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has deployed 10,210 personnel to reinforce security during Saturday’s Osun governorship election.

This was contained in a statement by the corps’ Spokesperson, Babawale Afolabi, on Monday in Abuja.

Afolabi said that the personnel deployed comprised 10,000, operational officers while the remaining 210 were from intelligence and specialised tactical units.

He also said that 1,000 of the deployed personnel were drawn from 10 state commands of the corps.

He added that the Commandant General (CG), Ahmed Audi, had directed the deployment of specialised formations with capabilities suited for the security needs of the election.

Afolabi said that the deployment included men of the CG’s Special Intelligence Squad, Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) unit, Specialised Female Squad, Mining Marshals, Special Strike Force, Crack Squad and K9 unit.

”The specialised teams will complement the regular deployment through intelligence gathering, crime prevention, detection, protection of critical assets, crowd control and other security responsibilities within their respective areas of competence,” he said.

Audi assured the people of Osun that the NSCDC would remain professional, impartial and respectful of the rights of all residents throughout the electoral process.

“Our personnel have been properly briefed on the need to be professional, neutral and respectful in the discharge of their duties.

“In the light of the above the NSCDC in collaboration with other security agencies on election duty will not tolerate any activity intended to jeopardise the election process.

”Criminal minded persons and political thugs willing to disrupt the peaceful conduct of the election would face the wrath of the law as prescribed in the electoral act,” he said.

Meanwhile the Osun State Commandant of the corps, Igbalawole Sotiyo, has urged personnel in the state to remain apolitical, maintain strict neutrality and discharge their duties with the highest level of professionalism before, during and after the election.

Sotiyo said that the credibility of the corps and public confidence in its personnel would depend largely on their conduct throughout the electoral process.

He warned against actions capable of undermining the integrity of the corps or compromising the peaceful conduct of the election.

”I urge you not to put the name of the corps into disrepute. Be apolitical, maintain neutrality and respect fundamental human rights.

”Discharge your duties strictly in line with the corps’ Standard Operating Procedures and other extant laws guiding election security operations,” he advised.

The commandant also directed Area Commanders to ensure that personnel under their supervision remained disciplined, professional and responsive to security needs.

He described the NSCDC as a professional, non-partisan agency responsible for protecting lives and property, critical national assets and infrastructure, as well as supporting the maintenance of peace and public order.

He further urged personnel to exhibit civility and respect for the electorate, noting that the election was a constitutional exercise.

He said the role of security personnel was to provide a safe and enabling environment for citizens to exercise their franchise without fear or intimidation.

Sotiyo reiterated the command’s readiness to deploy personnel professionally and responsibly, stressing that the corps would not compromise its neutrality or constitutional responsibilities.

He urged the public to cooperate with security personnel and report suspicious activities through appropriate channels, assuring that the Command would remain vigilant before, during and after the election.

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF), has killed nine Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters in a precision air strike in Borno including a key commander responsible for escorting high-value members of the group.

This was contained in a statement on Sunday in Abuja, by the Director of Public Relations and Information, NAF headquarters, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame.

The operation, conducted on Saturday in the Sambisa Forest area, followed credible intelligence on terrorist movement and activities.

According to Ejodame, the air force deployed a Remotely Piloted Aircraft, RPA, to conduct Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance, ISR, on the area.

“The aircraft tracked a group of terrorists moving towards a suspected hideout.

“Following positive identification and confirmation of the target, NAF aircraft conducted a precision engagement on the location,” Ejodame said.

A subsequent battle damage assessment showed that the compound was heavily hit, with nine terrorists confirmed killed and several others wounded.

Among those neutralised was Abu Khalid Al Muhajir, described as a prominent ISWAP commander in charge of providing special security escorts for senior members of the group.

Ejodame said his elimination was a major setback for ISWAP, given his reported knowledge of routes, terrain and tactical movements linking major terrorist enclaves within Sambisa forest and surrounding areas.

Intelligence also indicated that some of the fighters affected by the strike were linked to elements suspected to have carried out the recent ambush of Nigerian troops along the Bita–Yamtage axis in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.

He also said that the operation highlighted the growing effectiveness of air force intelligence-driven air campaigns, combining persistent ISR with precision strikes to detect and neutralise terrorists before they regroup.

“Beyond the immediate casualties, the operation is expected to disrupt ISWAP’s leadership protection arrangements, movement of high-value personnel and coordination of activities across its enclaves,” the statement added.

He reaffirmed NAF commitment to sustaining intelligence-led and precision air operations in close coordination with ground troops to degrade terrorist capabilities and secure communities in the North East.

By David Torough, Abuja

Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) have successfully contained an attack by Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists on Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Gajiram, Nganzai Local Government Area, Borno State.

At about 12:20 a.

m. on 10 August 2026, a large number of terrorists launched an assault in an attempt to overrun the troops’ position. The gallant troops responded with determined and effective fire, forcing the attackers to withdraw after sustaining heavy casualties. During the engagement, troops neutralised several of the terrorists and recovered weapons, ammunition and communication gadgets. Post-engagement review of the surveillance footage further confirmed several casualties being evacuated by the retreating terrorists. The recovered items and footage are currently undergoing further operational assessment.

Meanwhile, few troops sustained injuries during the engagement as a part of the defences was temporarily breached leading to damage to some combat enablers and vehicles from Rocket Propelled Grenade fires. The injured personnel were promptly airlifted and are currently stable and receiving medical attention. Following the attack, troops have remained firmly deployed in and around the FOB and adjoining areas to dominate the general area, monitor the situation, and prevent any further attempts by the terrorists to re-engage.

Residents of Gajiram and surrounding communities are advised to remain calm and go about their lawful activities. Members of the public are also encouraged to promptly report any suspicious movement or activity to the nearest security agencies or call 07084988859 to support intelligence sharing in the ongoing operations.

Troops continue to maintain high vigilance in and around Gajiram while exploitation of the operational area and further assessment of terrorists’ casualties and activities remain ongoing.

Headquarters Theatre Command Operation HADIN KAI reassures the public of its unshakable commitment to sustaining pressure on the ISWAP terrorists until lasting peace and stability are fully restored in the North East.