Anambra guber: Police deploys additional 26,000 personnel, restrict movements

macfranc007 November 13, 2017 Nigeria News today & Breaking news ▷ Read Nigerian newspapers 24/7 Jerrywright Ukwu

- The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has directed that a robust and elaborate security arrangement be implemented ahead of the governorship election in Anambra state

- This is to ensure a very secure environment for the conduct of a peaceful, credible and free and fair election

- Three commissioners of police are to be in charge of each senatorial district, to coordinate the security operations in the state

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has doled out a detailed security plan ahead of the November 18 governorship election in Anambra state.

In an email sent to NAIJ.com, by the force Public Relations Officer, CSP Jimoh Moshood, the NPF said three commissioners of police are to be in charge of each senatorial district, to coordinate the security operations in the state throughout the electioneering period.

The Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of department of operations of the force is the overall head of the security team and will be assisted by an Assistant Inspector General of Police to supervise the deployment of security personnel for the elections throughout the state.

Police reveals its security plans for Anambra governorship election

All major units of the police force are expected to be deployed for the election.

To ensure adequate security and safety of lives and properties before, during and after the elections, an additional 26,000 police personnel have been deployed for the election by the police headquarters.

Three police aerial/surveillance helicopters, 10 gun boats, 15 Armoured Personnel Carriers and 303 police patrol vehicles have also been deployed for the operations to cover the entire state including the riverine areas and difficult terrains.

NAIJ.com gathered that four policemen will be deployed to each polling unit along with personnel of other security and safety agencies.

However, no armed security personnel will be allowed within the polling units.

“Armed police detachments on patrol vehicles are going to patrol the streets and other locations throughout the state to prevent crime and intervene to quell any violence that may occur during the election.

“However, police personnel deployed for the election are under strict instructions to be polite and civil but firm in the discharge of their duties and other responsibilities.

“They are to provide adequate security for the electorates, INEC officials, election materials, election observers and other individuals and bodies that have statutory roles in the conduct of the election, at the polling booths, collation centres and INEC offices in Anambra state throughout the period of the election,” the statement said.

The statement also informed that there will be a complete enforcement of restriction of vehicular movements in and out of Anambra state through the land and riverine borders with other neighbouring states and within the state from 12 midnight on Friday, November 17 till after the voting period on the day of the election on Saturday, November 18.

However, government agencies and personnel on essential duties and services will be allowed passage within the period, while security personnel deployed will only operate within the area they are posted for the election.

Also, the commissioners of police and personnel in the states bordering Anambra state have been put on red-alert by the Inspector General of Police not to allow influx of miscreants, thugs and people with questionable characters into Anambra state to disrupt the election.

The police also addressed the threats by the Independent People of Biafra (IPOB) and other to disrupt the election.

“The force has deployed special police forces, police mobile force, specially trained counter terrorism unit and other intelligent and tactical squads to deal decisively with IPOB, a group already declared a terrorist organisation by court of competent jurisdiction in accordance with the law.

“The good people of Anambra state are implored to go out and vote on the day of the election and disregard the “Vote and Die” threat campaign or the call for boycott of the election by IPOB, as enough security measures are in place to protect them and every available resource of the force are being deployed to make sure that IPOB don’t actualize the threats.

“Furthermore, IPOB and its leadership are warned in their own interest to steer clear of Anambra state, the Nigeria Police Force will not hesitate to use all legal means within the ambit of the law to checkmate and prevent the group from interfering in the conduct of the election,” the statement said.

The statement also advised political parties, flag bearers contesting in the election, traditional rulers, community leaders, parents and guardians in Anambra state to prevail on their members, supporters, subjects, children and wards to be law abiding and not allow themselves to be used to cause disturbance of the peace or disruption of the election anywhere in the state.

Meanwhile, the people of Anambra state has been advised to come out en masse and vote candidates of their choice in the forthcoming governorship election in the state.

The advice was given by the senator representing Anambra North Senatorial District, Stella Oduah, following threats by some groups to the citizens to boycott the election.

Oduah who dropped out of the PDP governorship primary which produced Oseloka Obaze as the party's standard bearer, stressed that irrespective of political affiliation, the interest of the state comes first.

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