The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Usman Alkali Baba, on Tuesday ordered the immediate redeployment of 100 senior police officers to Anambra State for the peaceful conduct of the governorship election slated for November 6, 2021
This was contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja by the Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), CP Frank Mba.
He explained that the team comprising of selected seasoned strategic commanders from the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police and above was being headed by the Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Joseph Egbunike, and to be assisted by the DIG in charge of Operations, Acting DIG Zaki Ahmed.
According to him, “other Strategic Commanders deployed to Anambra State include five Assistant Inspectors General of Police (AIGs), 14 Commissioners of Police (CPs), 31 Deputy Commissioners of Police (DCPs) and 48 Assistant Commissioners of Police (ACPs).
“The Senior Officers are to coordinate human and other operational deployments in the three Senatorial Districts, twenty-one 21 Local Government Areas and the 5,720 polling units in Anambra State.
“DIG Egbunike is saddled with the responsibility of overseeing the implementation of the Operation Order evolved from the Election Security Threat Assessment, to ensure a peaceful environment devoid of violence and conducive enough to guarantee that law-abiding citizens freely perform their civic responsibilities without molestation or intimidation.”
Mba quoted the IGP as reassuring the nation that the Force was adequately prepared for the forthcoming in the state and reiterated that the Force would 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 personnel and equipment, accredited observers and other key players in the state.
The IGP then called on citizens in the state to come out en masse and exercise their franchise as adequate security had been emplaced to protect them before, during and after the election.
Lolo Ijeoma Njoku/ Obinwannem News writer / Oct 27, 2021
