The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, said on Wednesday that about 35,000 security personnel would be deployed to provide security cover for the 21 September governorship elections in Edo state.
This is in addition to about 80,000 other security personnel drawn from other sister security agencies.
At a stakeholders meeting in Benin, the state capital, Egbetokun disclosed that no local security outfits operating in the state will be allowed to be part of the election, adding that their operations remained suspended.
He spoke just as the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission IINEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu said the commission was ready to conduct a free, fair, and transparent election.
According to the Police boss, the Nigerian Police was solely responsible for the management of election security working in collaboration with other national security agencies under the purview of the Inter-agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES).
Egbetokun warned that any individual or group engaging in unauthorised security functions before, during and after the election would face immediate arrest and prosecution, and potential troublemakers contemplating disruptive actions during the election to abandon such intentions.
He said: “In this election, the police will be deploying 35,000 personnel and this will be complemented by over 80,000 members of the armed forces and other security agencies.
“The security forces will not tolerate any form of political thuggery, violence or hooliganism. Any attempt to undermine the electoral process will be met with swift and decisive action. I want to emphasise that the management of elections security is solely the responsibility of the Nigerian police force and other national security agencies within ICCES.
“This responsibility does not extend to local security entities or non-state actors. I hereby direct all local security apparatus within Edo state to refrain from interfering with election security functions.
“Any individual or group engaging in unauthorised security functions will face immediate arrest and prosecution. In this regard, the activities of the Edo State Security Corps which has been suspended, remain suspended until further notice.
“Movements of persons and vehicles will be restricted from 6 am to 6 pm on the day of the election. All orderlies and escorts to VIPs are withdrawn on the eve of the election with alternative security arrangements provided for.
“As in the past elections, the police is the lead security agency, supported by other national security agencies who will join us in ensuring the safety and security of the electoral process.
“Demonstrating our collective commitment to peaceful and credible election, we understand the vital importance of our roles and I want to assure you that we are well prepared to perform our duties with excellence.
“We will safeguard the electoral process by ensuring the safety of personnel and property including equipment that would be deployed in this election.
“We will ensure strict compliance and enforcement of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Electoral Act, the Police Act 2020, and the Criminal/Penal Code, among others.
“We will provide a conducive environment for the peaceful conduct of credible elections. Our approach to election security is grafted in the principles of neutrality, professionalism and enforcement of human rights”.
While assuring the smooth conduct of three elections, the INEC Chairman said sensitive materials for the election would arrive in the state next week and be warehoused in the Central Bank of Nigeria.
