In advance of the state elections for governor on November 11, Kayode Egbetokun, the inspector general of police, has sent three deputy inspectors general of police (DIG) to Kogi, Imo, and Bayelsa.
The DIG responsible for the Department of Force Intelligence, Habu Sani, has been deployed to Kogi; the DIG responsible for the Department of Information and Communication Technology, Daniel Sokari-Pedro, has been deployed to Bayelsa; and the DIG responsible for the Department of Training and Development, Frank Mba, has been assigned to supervise the Imo State elections.
The IGP has also ordered the deployment of an extra 220 operational vehicles, five police helicopters, and over 15 gunboats for land, air, and canal patrol in the three states, according to police spokesperson Olumuyiwa Adejobi, who briefed journalists in Abuja on Tuesday.
The force is dedicated to making sure that the off-cycle elections in Kogi, Imo, and Bayelsa are “free, fair, secure, and credible,” according to Adejobi.
“We have strategically deployed our personnel to these states to provide security and maintain law and order throughout the electioneering process following training on professionalism, neutrality, and best practices carried out for officers and men deployed for the election duty,” he said.
“Our objective is to create an environment where all citizens can exercise their right to vote without fear or intimidation.
“The Nigeria police force will play a pivotal role in safeguarding the democratic process and upholding the integrity of these elections as we are committed to ensuring that every eligible voter can participate in the electoral process without fear or hindrance.
“In the pursuit of our commitment to neutrality and part of the bid to enhance the supervision of the elections, the IGP has deployed deputy inspectors general of police (DIGs) to oversee the security arrangements and ensure the elections run smoothly in the respective states.
“This added layer of supervision is intended to guarantee that the elections meet the highest standards of transparency and credibility.
“Therefore, the deputy inspector-general of police in charge of the department of training and development, DIG Frank Emeka Mba has been deployed to oversee elections in Imo state; DIG Habu Sani in charge of the department of force intelligence to Kogi state; and DIG Daniel Sokari-Pedro in charge of the department of information and communication technology to Bayelsa State.
“In a bid to ensure smooth electioneering processes, the inspector-general of police has ordered the distribution of an additional 220 operational vehicles, including water cannons, armored personnel carriers, gunboats for riverine areas, helmets, bulletproof vests, tear gas canisters etc, to the three affected states to intensify security arrangements for the elections to augment the already deployed assets.”
