Olusola Bello
President Mohammadu Buhari may have decided to deal decisively with trouble makers as the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, ordered the deployment of Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG), Joseph Egbunike, and Assistant Commissioners of Police to overhaul and improve security in Anambra State.
Their function is to ensure a very secure atmosphere for the purpose of the forthcoming election in Anambra State which is slated on November 6.
According to a statement signed by Frank Mba, police spokesperson, he 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,”
He stated that 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.
Those that will assist DIG Egbunike, include, 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.”
The IGP reassured the nation that the Force is adequately prepared for the governorship election.
He reiterated 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 a 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.
He also 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.
Meanwhile, the National Security Adviser retired Maj.-Gen. Babagana Monguno, says those planning to disrupt the Anambra governorship election scheduled to hold on Nov. 6, should have a rethink.
Monguno gave the warning, while briefing newsmen after a general security appraisal committee meeting with service chiefs and heads of other agencies on Tuesday in Abuja.
He gave an assurance that the security agencies would ensure that the people of Anambra State elected their next governor without any rancor.
According to him, the Anambra elections will witness joint deployment of all security operatives across the state.
“Mr President has been briefed on efforts to ensure a peaceful election without destruction lives and property.
“Our intentions, our aspirations are to see that the elections do not result in anything that is unwanted; any bloodshed, any violence, intimidation, coercion or even terrorising the people of Anambra.
“It is their fundamental right to vote and choose whoever they want as their governor and they should not be denied that right, ” he said.
According to him, more importantly, they should not be put in a situation whereby they are reluctant to come out and vote.
“Ours is to instill confidence in the entire southeast particularly in Anambra State to make sure that nothing happens to those people who will come out to vote,” he said.
Mungono also warned all security operatives to apply self-restraint in the face of provocation by acting professionally.
“The security agencies have also been told to exhibit the highest level of professionalism, self restraint, discipline and adherence to what is written in the statute.
“They must make sure that they do not allow themselves to be provoked.
“This is because we have made them to understand that they owe themselves responsibility to stay alive.
“So they are not going to go there and sit, allow themselves to be harmed but at the same time, they will have to work together with the community, the political leadership to ensure that nothing theatrical takes place.
“We have been assured by the Commissioner of police and the Armed Forces have put everything in place to be the second layer to make sure that lives are not lost.
“Law enforcement agencies have been mandated to make sure that the elections are conducted without rancor,” he added.
On his part, the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali allayed the people’s fear and urged them to come out to exercise their civic rights on the election day.
He assured them that the police would behave in conformity with the laws of the land and ensure that the people of Anambra State were protected.
“Election security is a civil responsibility that we will provide for the people of Anambra to exercise their rights.
“Those who will not want the election to hold will because the government has provided adequate security to protect their rights and their franchise during the election,” he said.
