The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Kogi State Command, has said that 3,000 personnel in addition to other security agencies, will be deployed to provide security cover for the forthcoming governorship election.

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

He said 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 secure over 90 per cent of convictions.

He also paraded a 30-year-old Yomi Sunday who allegedly specialises in vandalising armour cables in Mopa Muro Local Government Area of the state.

Gandi said the culprit was arrested by the vigilante group and handed over to the corps.

He said the vandalisation 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 scooped into two half-litre 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.

He also added that the command would treat every piece of information with utmost confidentiality.