COUNTDOWN TO 28,000 policemen, 400 patrol vehicles to monitor poll

Ahead of the November 18 governorship election in Anambra State, political parties contesting the poll would sign a peace accord targeted at ensuring a peaceful atmosphere during and after the election.

The state Commissioner of Police, Garba Umar, made the disclosure yesterday at the command’s headquarters, Awka, during a high-powered inter-agency security meeting, involving representatives of the various political parties that would participate in the governorship election.

He described the as a memorandum pact of understanding which all the political parties and their standard bearers would adhere strictly to, to guarantee a hitch-free poll.

Umar frowned at the defacing and destruction of posters and billboards of political parties by opponents, and warned perpetrators to desist from such acts which he said were capable of disrupting the peaceful conduct of the exercise.

He further announced that 100 boats would be deployed to the riverine areas, 400 patrol vehicles, including helicopters, as well as 28,000 policemen would patrol and monitor the exercise.

According to the CP, the ban on covered plate numbers on vehicles or illegal customised plates, foul language and hate speech was still on course and that culprits would not be spared regardless of personality.