Usman Alkali Baba, the Inspector General of Police, has ordered a major overhaul of the security landscape in Anambra ahead of the November 6 gubernatorial election in the state.
A statement by CP Frank Mba, Force Public Relations Officer, Force Headquarters, Abuja, said the overhauling includes the deployment of selected seasoned strategic commanders from the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police and above to Anambra for effective supervision of security personnel and operations in the elections.
It noted that the IGP has deployed Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Joseph Egbunike to Anambra as the coordinator of the security component for the elections.
“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.
“DIG Egbunike will be assisted by the DIG in-charge of Operations, Acting DIG Zaki Ahmed. Other strategic commanders deployed to Anambra State include five Assistant Inspectors General of Police (AIGs), fourteen Commissioners of Police (CPs), thirty-one Deputy Commissioners of Police (DCPs) and forty-eight Assistant Commissioners of Police (ACPs). The senior officers are to coordinate human and other operational deployments in the three senatorial districts, twenty-one local government areas and the 5720 polling units in Anambra State”, the statement noted.
It said the IGP reassures the nation that the force is adequately prepared for the gubernatorial election in Anambra, reiterating 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 personnel and equipment, accredited observers and other key players in Anambra.
It said the IGP calls on citizens in Anambra to come out en masse and exercise their franchise as adequate security has been emplaced to protect them before, during and after the election.
Source : The Independent