Ahead of the November 11 governorship elections in Bayelsa, Imo, and Kogi states, the Inspector-General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun, has ordered the distribution of 220 operational vehicles f.or election security management.
The force also deployed anti-riot equipment, including water cannons, Armoured Personnel Carriers, helmets, bulletproof vests, and tear gas canisters.
The Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, who disclosed this on Sunday, said the IG urged stakeholders in the three states to maintain peace 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.
“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 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.”
Speaking further on police preparation for the off-cycle polls, the IG explained that the force will Friday complete its operational deployment in the three states.
The IG also announced that dignitaries and Very Important Persons would not be allowed to move around with police escorts on election day, adding that it is in violation of the Electoral Act to move around with security aides 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 be dealt with when they’re arrested,’’ the police chief stated.
Speaking during He stated this during a ‘Peoples Town Hall On Election Security,’ on Sunday night the IG assured that the force had enough manpower ready for election duty.
Egbetokun said, “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.
“We are doing our deployments in phases; we have started; by Friday, we’ll complete our deployment. But presently, we already have additional men and material resources deployed to the three states where the election would take place.
“We want to assure you that the police and other security agencies are ready for this election, and we are sure that it is going to be peaceful.
“We are going to be doing many things differently from the last election because there are enough officers available since it’s just in three states.
