Lucky Obukohwo, Reporting
The Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Force Intelligence Department (FID), DIG Benjamin Okolo, has warned mischief makers to keep off and do not foment trouble in the Anambra State governorship election.
Okolo, who is the DIG in charge of the election, gave the warning at the Police Headquarters in Awka, promising residents that adequate security measures have been put in place in line with the directive of the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun to safeguard the state.
The IGP, in his directive earlier this week, had ordered all police commands and formations to ensure watertight security around the state and intensify intelligence-driven operations to forestall any attempt to disrupt the exercise.
He also cautioned political actors against actions capable of breaching the peace, reiterating that the police would not hesitate to enforce the law where necessary.
Addressing Journalists during an interview at the Command Headquarters, DIG Okolo said that all security arrangements had been finalised to ensure a peaceful, fair, and credible election across the state.
Okolo added that the IGP had directed that maximum deployment of personnel, logistics, and intelligence assets be made to guarantee the safety of voters, electoral officials, and materials during the election.
Speaking on flashpoints and arrangement made by the police to contain any unrest in such areas, he emphasized: “Adequate security arrangement has been made in accordance with the IGP’s directive.
Also, arrangements have been made to contain any issue that may arise during the exercise. Deployments have been made to respond swiftly to such incidents.”
He said that the Nigeria Police Force, working in collaboration with other security agencies, has conducted a series of pre-election engagements, including stakeholder meetings and the signing of a peace accord by political parties and candidates.
These efforts, he said, were aimed at promoting peaceful participation and deterring violence before, during, and after the polls.
“We assure the people of Anambra that, through our interactions with stakeholders, the peace accord, and the readiness of our men on ground, every intention has been made to ensure that the election is peaceful, fair, and credible,” Okolo said.
He further appealed to voters to come out and exercise their civic responsibility without fear, assuring that security operatives had been properly briefed to maintain professionalism and neutrality throughout the process.