Awka – The Inspector General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, on Tuesday ordered a major overhauling of the security landscape in Anambra State ahead of the 6th November, 2021 Gubernatorial Elections in the state.
With the governorship election less than 12 days away, the security situation has worsened in the state, with a directive coming from the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, for sit-at-home from Friday 5th to 10th of November, 2021.
A statement today by the Force Public Relations Officer, Frank Mba said the overhauling 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.
According to him, the IGP has directed that Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Joseph Egbunike be deployed to Anambra State 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 (5) Assistant Inspectors General of Police (AIGs), fourteen (14) Commissioners of Police (CPs), thirty-one (31) Deputy Commissioners of Police (DCPs) and forty-eight (48) Assistant Commissioners of Police (ACPs).
“The Senior Officers are to coordinate human and other operational deployments in the three (3) Senatorial Districts, twenty-one (21) Local Government Areas and the 5720 polling units in Anambra State,” he said.
He gave the assurances of the IGP that the Force is adequately prepared for the Gubernatorial Elections in Anambra State come November 6th, 2021.
“The IGP has made it clear 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,” Mba said.
He called 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.
