By Bolanle Lawal
The Nigeria Police Force has assured residents of Ekiti of adequate security ahead of Saturday’s governorship election, urging eligible voters to come out and exercise their civic responsibility without fear.
The Commissioner of Police in charge of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation for Election Security, CP Abayomi Shogunle, gave the assurance at a news conference on Friday in Ado-Ekiti.Shogunle said that all necessary security arrangements had been put in place to ensure a peaceful, credible and violence-free election across the state.
He disclosed that both sensitive and non-sensitive election materials had been safely deployed to the 16 local government areas of the state under adequate security coverage.
According to him, police personnel have been assigned to guard the materials and will escort them from the local government headquarters to Registration Area Centres (RACs) and subsequently to polling units before the commencement of voting.
The commissioner also said that the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, approved a multi-layered security strategy for the election following extensive threat assessments conducted across the state.
He said security operatives had already secured boundary communities, major roads and forest areas bordering neighbouring states to prevent criminal activities and ensure the safety of voters.
Shogunle added that camps had been established in strategic locations, while specialised units, including counter-terrorism operatives and personnel of the Special Intervention Squad, had been deployed to strengthen security across the state.
“Additional security arrangements have also been made for officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), ad-hoc staff, members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), election observers and journalists,” he also said.
He urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to security agencies, reiterating the slogan, “If you see something, say something”.
He said the Ekiti police command control room would remain operational throughout the election and advised members of the public to use the emergency line 08062335577 for security-related reports.
Shogunle warned against vote buying, ballot snatching and other electoral offences, stressing that anyone found culpable would be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with relevant provisions of the Electoral Act and the Constitution.
He assured residents of the neutrality of the police during the election and pledged that security personnel would conduct themselves professionally in the discharge of their duties.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
FFB/DCO
====
Edited by Deborah Coker
