By Linus Aleke
With the gubernatorial election in Ekiti State coming up in ten days, the Nigeria Police Force has disclosed intentions to deploy 17, 374 personnel to maintain law and order in the state.

Inspector-General of Police, Alkali Baba gave the disclosure yesterday, shortly after the Security Council Meeting, presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Beyond the Ekiti poll, over 500 suspected criminals have been arrested for various offenses ranging from kidnapping, armed robbery, and fraud among others.

Alkali disclosed that security agencies were still making efforts to free passengers abducted in the Kaduna-Abuja train attack.

He said security agents were being careful not to swoop on the hideouts of the terrorists because of the implications of hurting the victims.

On the Prelate of the Methodist Church abduction, the IG said no arrests have been made on the perpetrators, but efforts are on to apprehend them through the ransom paid and those who received the ransom.

Meanwhile, as the staggered Ekiti and Osun States’ governorship Elections scheduled for June and July 2022 draw nearer, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), is seeking the support of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), in transporting sensitive and nonsensitive electoral materials to the aforesaid destinations, as well as during the 2023 general elections.

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The Chairman of the Commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakuza made this appeal when he paid a courtesy visit to the Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Oladayo Amao at the Headquarters NAF (HQ NAF) Abuja.

Prof. Yakubu said the support of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) for airlift of electoral materials and personnel in preparation for the upcoming elections, will aid the commission in no small measures to conduct a transparent election.

He noted that his visit is basically aimed at exploring ways of ensuring effective collaborative efforts with other stakeholders to address issues relating to poor electoral logistics management, in which the NAF has a critical role to play.

“This will be extended to other Armed Services in our determination to efficiently deliver materials and more efficiently serve Nigerians on Election Day,” he said.

He said the law empowers the Commission to seek the support of the security agencies and especially the Armed Forces in delivering materials for election and the protection of election officials.

While commending the NAF for its neutrality and professionalism, the INEC Chairman said the collaboration with the NAF has been of tremendous benefit to the electoral process and the consolidation of democracy in Nigeria.

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Director of Public Relations and Information Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet in a statement said the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Oladayo Amao assured the INEC Chairman of the readiness of the NAF to provide transport aircraft to enable prompt movement of electoral materials during the 2023 general elections.
He commended INEC for stabilizing the electoral process in Nigeria.

Air Marshal Amao also said the NAF would continue to render all necessary assistance and support to make INEC more efficient in the discharge of its constitutional responsibilities.

He directed that a Committee comprising INEC and NAF personnel be constituted to coordinate airlift of electoral materials and other logistics movement for hitch free electioneering exercise.