The Nigerian Air Force has been asked to assist the Independent National Electoral Commission in deploying troops and airlifting election materials to remote and insecure locations around the country.
The INEC chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, disclosed this during his visit to the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Oladayo Amao, on Wednesday, in Abuja
The commission requested the Air Force’s assistance in providing security in high-risk regions, as it had done during the off-cycle elections.
According to the INEC chairman, the commission cannot handle the 2023 national assignment alone as national assets must be mobilised. 
He said: “On February 25, 2023 and March 11, 2023, the commission will deploy personnel and materials to about 190,000 voting and collation locations nationwide for 1,491 executive and legislative offices across Nigeria.
“Beyond logistics support, the Air Force has also deployed its assets to provide security during off-cycle elections, especially in areas of difficult terrain.
“Election constitutes the most extensive mobilisation and complex logistics operations that could happen in a country in peacetime.
“These activities must take place simultaneously, stretching over 923,768km2 within a space of six voting hours (8.30am – 2.30pm) involving a projected population of 90 million voters
“In handling such a huge national assignment, the Commission cannot do it alone as national assets must be mobilised. It is in realisation of this objective that the law empowers the Commission to seek the support of the security agencies in general and the Armed Forces in particular in delivering materials for election and the protection of election officials.
“Provided that the Commission shall only request for the deployment of the Nigerian Armed Forces for the purpose of securing the distribution and delivery of election materials and protection of election officials.”
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