Inspector-General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun, has ordered the deployment of heavy security equipment to prevent violence and unrest ahead of the November 11 governorship elections in Bayelsa, Imo, and Kogi states.
The police force has also utilized anti-riot gear, such as water cannons, armored personnel carriers, helmets, bulletproof vests, and tear gas canisters.
In a statement released on Sunday, the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, revealed this deployment and conveyed the Inspector General’s call for peace maintenance by stakeholders in the three states during the election.
Adejobi said, “In a bid to have smooth electioneering processes in the forthcoming off-cycle governorship elections in Bayelsa, Imo, and Kogi States scheduled for 11th November 2023, the Inspector-General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun, has ordered the distribution of additional 220 operational vehicles, including water cannons, Armoured Personnel Carriers to the three affected states to intensify security arrangements for the elections.”
“Earlier, the IG had organized training for the police officers who are involved in the election security management for the forthcoming elections and sought the approval of the Federal Government for the payment of their allowances and other necessary support to boost the morale of the officers during the operations.”
“The IGP, therefore, urges all stakeholders in the three states to embrace peace, uphold the sanctity of the rule of law, and be law-abiding in their endeavors before, during, and after the elections as the police and other security agencies have been placed on alert to avert any unruly acts capable of disrupting the elections in any of the states.”
Regarding the police’s readiness for the off-cycle elections, the Inspector General (IG) clarified that the force will finalize its operational deployment in the three states by Friday.
Furthermore, the IG made it known that distinguished individuals and Very Important Persons will not be permitted to have police escorts with them on election day. He emphasized that this practice contravenes the Electoral Act, which prohibits the use of security aids during elections.
“No VIP will be allowed to move around with escorts on election day. Election day is an exception. So, no VIP will be allowed to move around with escorts during the elections.
”And anyone that does that is violating the electoral law and is liable to prompt arrest, and such people will get dealt with when they’re arrested,’’ the police chief stated.
He made these remarks on Sunday night during a Channels Television program titled ‘Peoples Town Hall On Election Security,’ which was observed by our correspondent.
The Inspector General (IG) assured that the police force had sufficient manpower prepared for election-related responsibilities.
Egbetokun stated, “We have been able to deploy adequately for the election. In Bayelsa, we’ll be covering 2,224 Polling Units, and we have enough men and resources to cover those polling units.