The Inspector General (IGP) of Nigeria Police Force, Ibrahim K. Idris has directed that a robust and elaborate security arrangement be implemented in Ondo State to ensure peaceful, credible, free and fair elections scheduled to hold on 26th November, 2016.
Spokesperson of the Nigeria Police Force, Don Awunah, noted in a statement that, to ensure adequate security and safety of life and property before, during and after the elections, the IGP has approved the deployment of additional twenty six thousand (26,000) conventional Police personnel (5 Policemen per polling unit), two thousand (2,000) Mobile Police Force (PMF), ten (10) cells of Counter Terrorism Unit, the Special Protection Unit, the Anti Bomb Squad (EOD), the Marine Police, Conventional Policemen, the Armament Units, personnel from FCIID and FIIB and the Sniffer dogs section and Mounted Troops for the exercise.
According to the statement, “A Deputy Inspector General of Police has been deployed to the State and will be assisted by an Assistant Inspector General of Police and three (3) Commissioners of Police (for each Senatorial district) to coordinate the security operations and supervise the deployment of security personnel for the elections throughout the 3009 polling units, 203 wards and 18 LGA of the State.
“Twenty (20) Police Gunboats, three (3) Patrol Surveillance Helicopters, twelve (12) additional Armoured Personnel carriers and three hundred (300) Police patrol vehicles are being deployed throughout the 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 Police during the elections.
The IGP however called on the personnel deployed for the assignment to be committed in their work while providing adequate security during the overall exercise; adding that, all political parties, traditional rulers, community leaders and parents should be law abiding and not allow themselves to be used to cause disturbance of the peace of the electoral process in the state.
“The full weight of the law will be applied on any person or group of persons found violating the electoral act or indulging in any criminal conduct capable of causing violence during the election,” the statement added.
As part of additional measures aimed at guaranteeing a peaceful and credible election, the IGP on 22nd November attended a peace accord meeting of all the political parties, their flag bearers, INEC officials, election observers and other stakeholders before the date of the election in Akure, Ondo State.
