The Inspector General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun, has announced that he has sent more security equipment to Bayelsa, Imo, and Kogi states to ensure peaceful governorship elections on November 11.
He said this via the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, on a TV programme called ‘Peoples Town Hall On Election Security’.
He said the equipment included water cannons, Armoured Personnel Carriers, helmets, bulletproof vests, and tear gas canisters. He also said he had trained the police officers for the election duty and secured the approval of the government for their allowances.
He appealed to the people of the three states to respect the law and avoid violence during the election. He warned that the police and other security agencies were ready to deal with any troublemakers.
He said, “In a bid to have smooth electioneering processes in the forthcoming off-cycle governorship elections in Bayelsa, Imo, and Kogi States scheduled for 11th November 2023, the Inspector-General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun, has ordered the distribution of additional 220 operational vehicles, including water cannons, Armoured Personnel Carriers to the three affected states to intensify security arrangements for the elections.
“Earlier, the IG had organised training for the police officers who are involved in the election security management for the forthcoming elections and sought the approval of the Federal Government for the payment of their allowances and other necessary support to boost the morale of the officers during the operations.
“The IGP, therefore, urges all stakeholders in the three states to embrace peace, uphold the sanctity of the rule of law and be law-abiding in their endeavours before, during, and after the elections as the police and other security agencies have been placed on alert to avert any unruly acts capable of disrupting the elections in any of the states.”
He also said that the police would complete their deployment in the three states by Friday, November 10. He added that no VIP would be allowed to move around with escorts on election day, as it was against the law.
He said, “No VIP will be allowed to move around with escorts on election day. Election day is an exception. So, no VIP will be allowed to move around with escorts during the elections.
‘’And anyone that does that is violating the electoral law and is liable to prompt arrest, and such people will get dealt with when they’re arrested.’’
He assured that the police had enough manpower for the election. He said, “We have been able to deploy adequately for the election. In Bayelsa, we’ll be covering 2,224 Polling Units, and we have enough men and resources to cover those polling units.
