By Emma Nnadozie, Crime Editor
As Anambra State prepares for its governorship election tomorrow, the Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIG) in charge of Force Intelligence, DIG Benjamin Okolo, who also doubles as the DIG in charge of the elections, has assured residents that adequate security measures have been put in place in line with the directive of the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun.
The IGP, in his directive earlier this week, 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.
Speaking during an interview today at the Command Headquarters in Awka, DIG Okolo said that all security arrangements had been finalised to ensure a peaceful, fair, and credible election across the state.
He stated 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 arrangements made by the police to contain any unrest in such areas, he reiterated: “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.”
Stressing the peaceful atmosphere in the state, he said 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,” he added.
DIG Okolo 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.
With the deployment of personnel across all 21 local government areas, checkpoints, and collation centres, the Police High Command has assured that Anambra is fully secured ahead of Saturday’s governorship election.
In his own contribution, the Commissioner of Police, Air Wing, Martins Nwogo, assured that the entirety of airspace in Anambra State and beyond has been adequately taken care of.
He also stated that they are combing all nooks and crannies on the air with tooth comb and will not hesitate to deal ruthlessly with any troublemaker.
He further commended IGO Egbetukon for all the security arrangements on ground, adding that all hands are on deck and no stone will be left unturned to ensure a free, fair and peaceful election in Anambra.
The post Anambra gov poll: DIG Okolo warns political actors against breach of peace appeared first on Vanguard News.
