Inspector General of Police (IGP) Ibrahim Idris has deployed 30,000 police personnel for Ekiti State July 14 gubernatorial election.
A statement by Police spokesman, acting DCP Jimoh Moshood said Commissioners of Police in contiguous States to Ekiti State are to deploy their men massively to ensure security and prevent influx of criminals, thugs and miscreants into Ekiti State.
Moshood said the Force will deal decisively in accordance with the laws any individuals or groups, no matter how highly placed, whose utterances or conduct is contrary to the electoral act or that can incite disturbance of public peace during the election.
He said, “The Deputy Inspector General of Police, Department of Operations has been deployed to the State and will be assisted by an Assistant Inspector General of Police, Four Commissioners of Police, Eight Deputy Commissioners of Police and Eighteen Assistant Commissioners of Police, each Senatorial district will be manned by a Commissioner of Police.”
“The DIG will implement and coordinate the security operations, and also supervise the deployment of security personnel for the elections throughout the 2451 Polling units/voting points, 177 Wards and the Sixteen LGA of the State,” he added.
He said, “the personnel are comprising Police Mobile Force (PMF) Units, Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU), the Special Protection Unit (SPU), the Anti Bomb Squad (EOD), Conventional Policemen, the Armament Unit, personnel of FCIID and the Sniffer dogs section.”
He said, “Four policemen and two others from other security agencies will be on duty at each polling unit throughout the State. The Police Mobile Force (PMF) to be headed by a very Senior Officer will provide security at the RAC, Super RAC and collation centres.”
He said, Two Patrol Surveillance Helicopters, Five additional Armoured Personnel Carriers, Ten Armoured Personnel Vehicles and Two Hundred and Fifty (250) Police patrol vehicles are deployed throughout the State including difficult terrains.
Moshood said, “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 Nigeria Police Force during the election.”
He also said, Police officers and personnel of other security and safety agencies deployed for the elections are under strict Instructions to be polite and civil but firm in the discharge of their duties and other responsibilities.
He said, they are to provide adequate security for the electorates, INEC Officials, movement of election materials, the accredited election observers and other individuals and bodies that have statutory roles in the conduct of the election, at the Polling units, Collation Centres and INEC Offices throughout the period of the election.
He added, “Special security identification tags will be worn by all security personnel deployed for the election. No personnel of any security agency will be allowed to move to any other location other than where they were deployed throughout the election period.”
He said security personnel attached to public office holders and politicians will not be allowed to follow their principals to the polling units or collation centres throughout the election.”
“Security personnel are hereby warned to desist from escorting their principals and politicians to polling units and collation centres during the election. Any deviant security detail will be apprehended and dealt with accordingly.”
Moshood noted that, “Commissioners of Police and their personnel in States contiguous and close to Ekiti State, such as Ondo, Osun, Kwara, Kogi, Ogun, Edo and Oyo States have been directed by the IGP to be on Red-Alert with their personnel.”
“They are to deploy massively within areas neighbouring to Ekiti State to prevent crimes, hoodlums and miscreants and other unwanted elements or groups from infiltrating from their States to Ekiti State to disrupt the election.
He said, “Restriction of vehicular movement in and out of Ekiti State will commence from 12-midnight of Friday, 13th July, 2018 till the end of the election. Travellers and other road users are advised to make use of alternative routes. However, those on essential duties on genuine course will be granted passage.”
He said threat assessments have been carried out by the Police in Ekiti State and all identified flash points and troubled prone areas have been addressed.”
He added, “The electorates and the general public in Ekiti State who observe any untoward incident or crime can reach the Joint Operation Room for the election through the following phone numbers; 08062335577, 08035925554, 08081761702.”
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