Usman Alkali Baba, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), has dispatched at least 31 senior officials to Ekiti State ahead of the June 18 gubernatorial election.
Strategic Commanders with the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police (AIG) or above have been deployed to effectively supervise security troops and operations throughout the election.
The team will be led by Johnson Kokumo, the Deputy IG in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) and supervisory DIG for the South-West Geo-Political Zone, according to a statement signed by the Police Spokesperson, Olumuyiwa Adejobi.
“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 secure freely perform their civic responsibilities without molestation or intimidation.
“DIG Kokumo will be assisted by four (4) Assistant Inspectors-General of Police (AIGs), three (3) Commissioners of Police (CPs), and five (5) Deputy Commissioners of Police (DCPs) and eighteen (18) Assistant Commissioners of Police (ACPs).
“The Senior Officers are to coordinate human and other operational deployments in the three (3) Senatorial Districts, sixteen (16) Local Government Areas, and the 2445 polling units in Ekiti State,” the statement read.
The IGP also stated that police officers, the Police Mobile Force (PMF), the Counter-Terrorism Unit (CTU), Special Forces personnel, the Explosives Ordinance Unit (EOD), the Force Intelligence Bureau (FIB), INTERPOL, the Special Protection Unit (SPU), the Force Public Relations Department (FPRD), and Police Medical Teams will be on the ground to ensure a free, fair, credible, and acceptable election.
In addition, five Armored Personnel Carriers (APCs) for patrol, four helicopters, and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) for aerial surveillance will be made accessible, among other unique operational capabilities.
The IGP reassured the nation that the Force is adequately prepared for the Ekiti Governorship Election, noting that the Force will do everything in its power to work with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and all stakeholders to protect democratic values, provide a level playing field for all political actors, ensure adequate protection of voters, INEC officials, equipment, accredited domestic and international observers, and other key p
As a result, the IGP urged Ekiti people to follow the law and obey the Commissioner of Police’s restriction of movement order, which will be announced as soon as possible.
“The IGP equally calls on the Good people of Ekiti State to come out en masse and exercise their franchise as adequate security has been emplaced by the Police and other security agencies to protect them before, during and after the election,” the statement said.
