No fewer than 40,000 security personnel will be mobilised to give coverage to the 11 November governorship election in Kogi State, the Commissioner of Police, Bernard Onuoha, has said.
The Commissioner told The PUNCH in an exclusive interview in his office at the state command headquarters in Lokoja that although he would not be able to give the exact figure immediately, it would not be less than 40,000.
“Because the election is an off-season one, we will have enough officers available for mobilisation for effective coverage due to the volatile nature of Kogi State elections”, he said.
He expressed concern about the threat of violence, adding that the higher authority had been briefed and they were working tirelessly to make sure that the threats were not actualised.
“There has been ample evidence that the election will be volatile in some flash point areas already identified, particularly in Kogi East, such as Olamaboro, Dekina, Ejule and in the Central such as Adavi, Obehira, Obangede and others areas, we will take a close watch to ensure there is peaceful election.
On efforts being made so far, the Commissioner said he had met with the Attah of Igala and had assured him that he would be talking to his subjects on the need to be civil before, during and after the election.