The Inspector General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, has ordered a major overhauling of the security landscape in Anambra State ahead of the 6th November 6, 2021 gubernatorial elections in the state.
The overhauling according to police spokesman, CP Frank Mba includes the deployment of selected seasoned Strategic Commanders from the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police and above to Anambra State for effective supervision of security personnel and operations in the Elections. The IGP noted that Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Joseph Egbunike has been deployed to Anambra State as the Coordinator of the security component for the Elections.
According to Mba, “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), 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 3 Senatorial Districts, 21 Local Government Areas and the 5720 polling units in Anambra State.
“The IGP reassures the nation that the Force is adequately prepared for the Gubernatorial Elections in Anambra State come November 6, 2021. He reiterates 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 State.
“The IGP calls on citizens in Anambra State to come out en masse and exercise their franchise as adequate security has been emplaced to protect them before, during and after the elections.”
Alkali Baba had said a total of 34,587 personnel would be deployed for the November 6 governorship election in Anambra State, pledging that the high command was prepared to ensure violence free election in the state.
The IGP also warned miscreants and political gladiators who would want to adopt undemocratic and illegal means to achieve their aspirations to bury such thoughts and to stay away from the state in their own interest.
The IGP had disclosed this in Abuja while addressing Commissioners of Police (CPs) and above.
According to him, the deployment will consist of conventional police officers, Police Mobile Force, the Counter-Terrorism Unit, Special Forces, Explosive Ordinance Unit, Force Intelligence Bureau, INTERPOL, Special Protection Unit, and the medical team respectively.
He added that the deployment would also include three helicopters for aerial surveillance as well as detachments of Marine Police operatives to ensure a safe, secure, and credible electoral process in the same.
According to him, the police have also emplaced adequate forward and reverse logistics arrangements for a seamless police operation in the state.
He noted that the deployment followed the outcome of the election security threat analysis conducted by the Force Intelligence Bureau ahead of the gubernatorial election in the state.
According to him, “based on the outcome of the analysis, we have developed a strategic election security operation plan, which will involve the mobilisation of 34,587 police personnel to the state.
“Drawing on our previous election security operations, we have also emplaced adequate forward and reverse logistics arrangements for a seamless police operation and have also made requisite arrangement to address the welfare needs of all personnel being deployed for the operation.
“Let me use this opportunity to assure all citizens and stakeholders, including the International Community of our determination to work with other security agencies to stabilise the prevailing situation in Anambra State ahead of the election.”