Police Deploy DIG, 26,000 Officers for Anambra Poll

Promises it will deal with IPOB IG denies romantic liaison with policewoman

The Nigerian Police yesterday said it has deployed Deputy Inspector General of Police and about 26,000 Police officers to Anambra State ahead of the gubernatorial poll.

Police Public Relations Officers, CSP Jimoh Moshood, explained elaborate security and preparation have been put in place to ensure peaceful elections.

Moshood said: “The Anambra State gubernatorial election is scheduled to hold on the 18 of November, 2017, to this end, the IG Ibrahim K. Idris, has directed that a robust and elaborate security arrangement be implemented in the State to ensure a very secure environment for the conduct of a peaceful, credible and free and fair election.

“The Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of Department of Operations of the Force has been deployed to the State and will be assisted by an Assistant Inspector General of Police and three (3) Commissioners of Police to be in charge of each Senatorial District, to coordinate the security operations and supervise the deployment of security personnel for the elections throughout the state.

“In order to ensure adequate security and safety of lives and properties before, during and after the elections, the IG has graciously approved deployment of additional 26,000 police personnel, comprising the Police Special Forces, Police Mobile Force, the Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU), Special Protection Unit (SPU), the Anti -Bomb Squad (EOD), the Force Marine Police, Conventional Policemen, the Force Armament Unit, personnel from Force Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department (FCIID), Mounted Troops, the attack and Sniffer Dogs Section, Police Gun Boats, Police Helicopters and Armoured Personnel Carriers (APC) to Anambra State and most of these personnel are already on the ground.”

He explained that “three (3) Police Aerial/Surveillance Helicopters, Ten (10) Gun Boats, Fifteen (15) Armoured Personnel Carriers (APC) and Three Hundred and Three (303) Police patrol vehicles have been deployed for the operations to cover the entire state including the riverine areas and difficult terrains.

“Other security and safety agencies who are members of Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) in the state are also deployed to complement the personnel of the Nigeria Police Force during the election.

“Four (4) Policemen are deployed to each polling unit along with personnel of other security and safety agencies.

“No armed security personnel will be allowed within the polling units. Armed police detachments on patrol vehicles are going to patrol the streets and other locations throughout the State to prevent crime and intervene to quell any violence that may occur during the election.

“As part of additional measures aimed at guaranteeing a secure, peaceful and credible election, the IG and the INEC Chairman will attend a Stakeholder/Peace Accord Meeting with all the political parties, their flag bearers contesting in the election, INEC officials, election observers, other stakeholders and members of the public before the date of the election in Awka, Anambra State.

“However, police personnel deployed for the election are under strict Instructions to be polite and civil but firm in the discharge of their duties and other responsibilities.”

He added that “they are to provide adequate security for the electorates, INEC officials, election materials, election observers and other individuals and bodies that have statutory roles in the conduct of the election, at the polling booths, collation centres and INEC Offices in Anambra State throughout the period of the election.”

The Police also stated that “there will be a complete enforcement of restriction of vehicular movements In and Out of Anambra State through the land and riverine borders with other neighbouring states and within the state from 12 midnight on Friday 17 November, 2017 till after the voting period on the day of the election on 18 November, 2017.

“However, government agencies and personnel on essential duties and services will be allowed passage within the period. Security identification tag will be provided for all the security and safety agencies, INEC officials, election observers/ monitors and others that have statutory duties to carry out in the election.

“The security personnel deployed will only operate within the area they are posted for the election.