Police deploy 14,250 officers for Saturday polls in A’ibom, C’river

• Pay allegiance to FG, Oyeyemi tells FRSC officials • CLEEN Foundation dedicates centre to monitor police conduct

TOforestall crisis and possible casualties as experienced during last weekend’s postponement of elections in Akwa Ibom and Cross River states, the Police have deployed 14,250 officers to the states for next Saturday’s polls.

Akwa Ibom State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Odiko Macdon, who confirmed the burning of seven vehicles, three motorcycles and destruction of two buses, disclosed that 10 suspects were arrested, while two locally made pistols were recovered from the hoodlums.

He said Indian hemp, machetes and other dangerous items were recovered from bandits in the state, adding that investigation was still ongoing, while over 8,000 policemen and other security agents have been deployed across the state.

Also, in Bendeghe Ekiem, Etung Local Government Area of Cross River State, Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and three other persons were reportedly killed.

The PPRO, Ms. Irene Ugbo said, “Two cult rival groups, who are also PDP and APC supporters clashed in Etung, during which three persons died.

“A total of 6,250 officers have been deployed for the elections. Apart from Etung youths, those who tried to cause violence before the election at Ugep, were arrested. The area is now calm and we are ready for the elections,” she said.

However, to ensure adequate coverage and realtime security situation analysis of the elections, CLEEN Foundation’s Election Security Support Centre (ESSC) will be observing the conduct of security agents deployed on election duty for the February 23 and March 9 elections.

Its Executive Director, Benson Olugbuo, in a statement yesterday noted that CLEEN analysis will dwell on security situation of the elections and especially police officers’ conduct.