Ekiti poll: IGP deploys AIG, 5 Commissioners to coordinate security operations
The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Abubakar has ordered the deployment of Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) Bala Nasarawa to supervise security arrangements in Ekiti State during Saturday’s gubernatorial election. A statement by the spokesman of the Police, Chief Superintendent of Police, Frank Mba said, AIG Bala Nasarawa is to supervise security arrangements […]
The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Abubakar has ordered the deployment of Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) Bala Nasarawa to supervise security arrangements in Ekiti State during Saturday’s gubernatorial election.
A statement by the spokesman of the Police, Chief Superintendent of Police, Frank Mba said, AIG Bala Nasarawa is to supervise security arrangements and will be assisted by four Commissioners of Police.
He said Commissioner of Police (CP) Ikechukwu Aduba will function as CP in charge of Ekiti State for the period of the election while three other CPs will be specifically saddled with the responsibility of supervising security arrangements in the three senatorial districts of the state.
CP Danladi Mshelbwala (Ekiti-North), CP Mohammed Ibrahim (Ekiti-Central) and CP Augustine Eubakhabokum (Ekiti-South), while CP Hosea Karma (CP in charge of PMF) will be charged with the responsibility of supervising the operations of the Police Mobile Force and other special Strike Forces, the statement added.
Mba also said the IGP has barred all security aides from accompanying their Principals on Election Day, while an order banning movement in and out of Ekiti state with effect from 6 pm today, Thursday , 19th June until the election is over has been placed.
He explained that “movements will be restricted within the state between 6am to 8pm. Consequently, the states of Kwara, Kogi, Ondo and Osun which are contiguous to Ekiti state will have increased Police presence with all entry and exit points in and out of Ekiti maximally policed.”
Mba noted that persons on essential duties such as Ambulance service providers, INEC officials, on-duty security men, accredited election monitors/observers, and accredited journalists are not affected by this order.
He further said, “The restriction order is informed by the exigencies of overriding security considerations. Noting that the Force is not ignorant of the citizen’s right to freedom of movement, as enshrined in the constitution, it however reiterates that the order is informed by the need to forestall plans by criminal elements to undermine the electoral process as gathered through intelligence reports.”
“While empathizing with the citizenry over the inconveniences the order may cause, the IGP implores them to see this restriction as a necessary sacrifice in the present circumstance geared towards the quest for a seamless, credible and successful gubernatorial election,” he added.