To oversee security operations and ensure a smooth and credible electoral process in the up-coming bye-elections across 13 states in the country, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has ordered the deployment of senior officers.
The Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Muyiwa Adejobi, who
disclosed this in a statement, said to maintain public order, the IGP has also announced
a restriction on all forms of vehicular movement by road, water, or other means
within the affected Local Government Areas from 12:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on
election day.
Adejobi clarified that essential service providers,
including INEC officials, accredited journalists, electoral observers,
ambulances on emergency duties, and firefighters, are exempted from the
restriction.
According to the Police PPRO, the IGP ordered Senior
officers of the rank of Assistant Inspector-General of Police and Commissioners
of Police to support state commands in providing effective supervision, in
addition to personnel from the Police Mobile Force, Special Intervention Squad,
Force Intelligence Department, and other tactical units deployed.
The IGP also reaffirmed the ban on security aides and
escorts accompanying VIPs and political figures to polling units or collation
centers during the election, noting that State-owned security outfits,
quasi-security organizations, and private security companies are similarly
barred from participating in election-related security operations.
Egbetokun emphasized the deployment of adequate operational
logistics to the affected states and Local Government Areas to guarantee a
peaceful and credible election.
The affected states include Anambra, Kano, Kaduna, Oyo,
Taraba, Enugu, Adamawa, Edo, Jigawa, Kogi, Ogun, Zamfara, and Niger.
The IGP charged all deployed personnel to adhere strictly to
the Nigeria Police Force’s standard operational procedures for election duties,
and urged citizens to remain law-abiding throughout the election period,
assuring the public that comprehensive security arrangements have been put in
place to protect their rights and ensure their votes count.