.Warns against political interference, acts of violence
.As NSCDC deploys 6,000 officers to secure exercise
Jonas Ezieke and Blessing Omale, Abuja
Tension mounted across Ondo State at the weekend following a ban placed on the Western Nigeria Security Network codenamed Amotekun and Vigilante Corps by the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.
There had been security challenges in the state before now and there were fears among the people yesterday that the ban may lead to its resurgence.
It came barely a week to the conduct of Ondo governorship election on Saturday.
According to Egbetokun, comprehensive plans have been put in place to maintain law and order before, during and after the elections
No fewer than 17 political parties will participate in the election slated for November 16, 2024.
In a statement released on Sunday by the Force spokesman, Muyiwa Adejobi, the IGP ordered the deployment of officers from various specialised units, including the Special Intervention Squad, Police Mobile Force, Counter-Terrorism Unit, Special Protection Unit, Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit, and K-9 Unit among others.
He added that aerial patrols would be conducted with police helicopters, while gunboats would patrol the state’s waterways and riverine areas to ensure security across all terrains.
Adejobi said, “As the Ondo State Gubernatorial Election, scheduled for November 16, 2024, draws near, the Inspector-General of Police has unequivocally assured the public of the Nigeria Police Force’s unwavering readiness to ensure a peaceful and orderly election process across all 18 Local Government Areas, 203 Wards, and 3,933 Polling Units in the state.
“The IGP has confirmed that comprehensive plans have been set in motion to guarantee a smooth election, including the strategic deployment of adequate personnel, resources, and state-of-the-art equipment.
“The deployment will see officers from various specialized units, including the Special Intervention Squad, Police Mobile Force, Counter-Terrorism Unit, Special Protection Unit, Explosive Ordinance Disposal Unit, K-9 Unit, Federal Investigation and Intelligence Response Team, and Federal Intelligence and Security Task Force working in concert with other security agencies. These agencies will adhere strictly to the guidelines of the Electoral Act, 2022, ensuring that all measures taken align with the principles of fairness, transparency, and order.
“In addition to ground personnel, aerial patrols will be conducted with police helicopters, while gunboats will patrol the state’s waterways and riverine areas to ensure security across all terrains. These comprehensive measures will serve as a deterrent to any attempt to disrupt the electoral process and will enhance the overall stability of the elections.”
Adejobi also said the IG vowed to deal with political thugs or individuals planning to disrupt the elections.
He said, “The IGP has also issued a stern warning to political thugs and any individuals or groups who may contemplate acts of violence or disruption before, during, or after the election: they will face the full force of the law. The message is clear — those who attempt to jeopardise the peace and security of the state will not go unpunished.”
Adejobi, an Assistant Commissioner of Police said the IG stated that only the federal security agencies and other members of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security would be allowed to participate in the election.
He said, “Furthermore, the IGP reaffirmed the established guidelines governing election security management in Nigeria, stressing that no quasi-security organisation, including state-backed groups like Vigilante Corps or Amotekun, will be permitted to participate in the election process.
“The security of this election is a responsibility entrusted solely to the Nigeria Police Force and other federal security agencies, along with the broader membership of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security.
“The Nigeria Police Force, in collaboration with other federal security agencies, remains committed, vigilant, and fully prepared to ensure that the Ondo State Gubernatorial Election proceeds smoothly, without incident, and by the highest standards.
He expressed Police’s unwavering readiness to ensure a peaceful and orderly election process across all 18 Local Government Areas, 203 Wards, and 3,933 Polling Units in the state.
Meanwhile, in a move to ensure a secure and peaceful election, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has announced the deployment of 6,000 officers and personnel for the November 16 Ondo State Governorship Election.
Commandant General Dr. Ahmed Abubakar Audi directed the mobilization, emphasizing the Corps’ readiness to maintain order before, during, and after the election.
This directive was disclosed in a statement released on Sunday by NSCDC’s National Public Relations Officer, Babawale Afolabi, who highlighted that personnel would be drawn not only from Ondo State but also from neighbouring states, including Ekiti, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Lagos, Edo, and Delta, to strengthen security presence across the region.
“Our officers will be on ground to secure all 18 Local Government Areas, 203 Wards, and 3,933 Polling Units, covering land and coastal areas across the state,” said CG Audi.
He said that NSCDC will deploy its Special Female Squad, Counter Terrorism Unit, Agro Rangers, Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosives Unit (CBRNE), K-9, Marine Unit, CG’s Mining Marshall, and other specialized units.
Audi stressed the Corps’ responsibility in safeguarding critical national assets, election officials, and materials, noting that “comprehensive measures are in place to prevent any incidents of political violence or thuggery.”
He underscored the importance of collaboration with the Nigeria Police, the lead agency in election security, to achieve a successful election process, calling on all officers to maintain professionalism and discipline.
In a warning to those considering election violence, the Commandant General advised parents to caution their children against being used as tools of political manipulation, reiterating the Corps’ commitment to protecting voter rights and enforcing the electoral law.
The NSCDC’s highlighted the importance of a safe and credible electoral process for Ondo State, as security agencies work jointly to uphold stability in the election.
