* IG Deploys 26,000 Policemen, CPs, AIG, DIG, to meet with stakeholders before November 18
By Dele Ogbodo
The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr. Ibrahim Idris, on Sunday warned the Independent Peoples Organization of Biafra (IPOB), to stay out of the Anambra State governorship election slated for Saturday.
He said the Force has deployed Special Police Forces, Police Mobile Force, Specially Trained Counter Terrorism Unit and other Intelligent and Tactical Squads to deal decisively with IPOB, a group he said that was declared a terrorist organization by court of competent jurisdiction.
Idris implored the voters to go out and vote on Saturday and to disregard the “Vote and Die” threat campaign or the call for boycott of the election by IPOB as enough security measures are in place to protect them.
He said: “Furthermore, IPOB and its leadership are warned in their own interest to steer clear of Anambra State, the Police will not hesitate to use all legal means within the ambit of the law to checkmate and prevent the group “IPOB” from interfering in the conduct of the election.
The IG said there will be a complete enforcement of restriction of vehicular movements in and out of Anambra State in the November 18 election, from 12 midnight on Friday 17 till the election after the voting on Saturday.
As part of the security arrangement for a credible election in the forth coming Anambra State governorship election, he said the Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of Department of Operations of the Force has been deployed to the State and will be assisted by an Assistant Inspector General of Police and 3 Commissioners of Police (CPs), to be in charge of each Senatorial District, to coordinate the security operations.
This was contained in a statement signed by the Force PRO, Mr. Jimoh Moshood, on behalf of the IG said in order to ensure adequate security and safety of lives and properties before, during and after the elections.
The added that the IG has graciously approved deployment of additional 26,000, police personnel comprising the Police Special Forces, Police Mobile Force, the Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU), Special Protection Unit (SPU), the Anti Bomb Squad (EOD), the Force Marine Police, Conventional Policemen, the Force Armament Unit, personnel from Force Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department (FCIID), Mounted Troops, the attack and Sniffer Dogs Section, Police Gun Boats, Police Helicopters and Armoured Personnel Carriers (APC) to Anambra State and most of these personnel are already on the ground.
As part of additional measures aimed at guaranteeing a secure, peaceful and credible election, the IG and the INEC Chairman will attend a stakeholder with all the Political Parties, their Flag Bearers contesting in the election, INEC Officials, Election Observers, other Stakeholders and members of the Public before the date of the election in Awka, Anambra State.
He said: “Police Personnel deployed for the election are Under Strict Instructions to be Polite and Civil but Firm in the discharge of their duties and other responsibilities.
“They are to provide adequate security for the electorates, INEC Officials, election materials, election observers and other individuals and bodies that have statutory roles in the conduct of the election, at the Polling booths, Collation Centres and INEC Offices in Anambra State throughout the period of the election.”