By Cajetan Mmuta
The Anambra State police command on Thursday said it will be firm and decisive at ensuring that peace and a secured environment prevail during the November 6 governorship election in the state.
It urged residents and people of the state to be free to come out to cast their votes for any candidate of their choice as the force would massively deploy its personnel in collaboration with other sister security agencies to adequately protect all and areas before, during, and after the poll.
Commissioner of police in the state, Mr. Echeng Eworo Echeng stated this while briefing newsmen at the command headquarters in Awka the state capital on the preparations of the force ahead of the election in the state.
He vowed that the police and other security agencies including the military would not tolerate any form of infraction throughout the period of the exercise.
Echeng Eworo Echeng reiterated that the police high command had deployed 34,000 personnel, Deputy Inspector Generals of Police (DIGs), force commanders, commissioners of police, and police Special forces who would man the various strategic locations across the 21 local government areas and three Senatorial districts of the state.
Also, gunboats would be deployed to riverine areas, sniffer dogs, plainclothes officers, helicopters for aerial monitors and ground battle-ready operatives are to jointly work with members of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), Naval personnel and military officers to be positioned for the peaceful conduct of the poll.
The water right measure he said was in line with the resolve and assurances of the Inspector General of Police, IGP Baba Usman, pointing out that the peaceful people of Anambra State are enjoying today was undoubted as a result of the collaborative efforts between personnel of the command and other security agencies in the state.
According to him, IGP Usman Baba is passionate and psychologically attached to the success of the election and to making sure that the people of Anambra State are safe and secured.
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He said, “We intend to dominate every area of Anambra State and it is to give the people the assurance that we are on the ground.”
In addition, Echeng Echeng debunked the allegation that officers and men of the force are often involved in electoral malpractices as there are measures being taken to ensure there’s no infraction.
“We are going to be decisive, strategic, and professional,” he said.
The November 6 governorship election “is an assignment that is very important to our dear Anambra State and the nation.”
“I assure you that a comprehensive water right and around the clock security is to make sure peace and safety of the environment. Our deployment is functional and purposeful security arrangement aimed at enhancing public safety and very deliberate.”
The command tasked the media as a core stakeholder to work in favor of protecting the national interest and peace of the state.
