Election: IGP Deploys DIG, 4 AIGs, Others To Ekiti

The Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba, on Sunday directed the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID), Johnson Kokumo to take charge election security in Ekiti State before, during and after next week gubernatorial election.

Baba ordered that Kokumo be assisted by four Assistant Inspectors-General of Police (AIGs), three Commissioners of Police, five Deputy Commissioners of Police and eighteen Assistant Commissioners of Police.

The police boss also ordered mobilization and deployment of adequate police personnel, Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs), technical capabilities of the Police Airwing, the Force Marine, Mounted Troops, K-9 Section, and other operational assets.

In a statement on Sunday by the Force spokesman, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said the senior officers are to coordinate human and other operational deployments in the three Senatorial Districts, sixteen Local Government Areas and the 2445 polling units in the State.

The statement read, ”DIG Kokumo is responsible for overseeing the implementation of the Operation Order evolved from the Election Security Threat Assessment, to ensure a peaceful and conducive environment devoid of violence and to guarantee law abiding citizens of secured freely perform their civic responsibilities without molestation or intimidation.”

The IGP noted that the Force has carried out these necessary operational deployments as part of actions aimed at creating a conducive and enabling environment that will guarantee the peaceful and proper conduct of the election in Ekiti State.

According to him, the personnel, comprising conventional police officers, Police Mobile Force (PMF), Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU), Special Forces personnel, Explosives Ordinance Unit (EOD), Force Intelligence Bureau (FIB), INTERPOL, Special Protection Unit (SPU), Force Public Relations Department (FPRD), as well as Police Medical Teams, will be on ground.

”In addition, five Armored Personnel Carriers for patrol as well as four helicopters and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) for aerial surveillance amongst other unique operational capabilities”, Adejobi added.

Baba reassured the nation and the international community that the Force is adequately prepared for the Gubernatorial Election in Ekiti State which is scheduled to hold on June 18, 2022.

He reiterated that the Force will do everything within its powers to work with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and all stakeholders to protect democratic values, provide level playing field for all political actors, ensure adequate protection of voters, INEC officials, equipment, accredited observers, both domestic and international, and other key players in Ekiti State.

He also called on the people of Ekiti State to come out en masse and exercise their franchise, saying adequate security has been emplaced by the Police and other security agencies to protect them before, during and after the election.