As
a conscious effort towards protecting the integrity of the electoral process
and forestalling acts that may constitute threats to the safety and security of
voters as well as electoral officials and materials, the Inspector-General of
Police, IGP MD Abubakar, has
ordered massive deployment of personnel and logistics of the Force to Anambra
state for the November 16, 2013 Gubernatorial
election.
To this end, the IGP has directed the DIG ‘B’ Department, DIG
Philemon I. Leha, PSC – an officer with a robust operational
background and former Commissioner of Police, Anambra State - to relocate to
Awka for an effective coordination of all security operations for the election
and to ensure that the Force maintains a firm grip on its security network
covering the over four thousand polling units and all the collation centres in
the state.
Consequently,
all striking units of the Force, including personnel of the Police Mobile Force
(PMF), Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU), the Bomb Disposal Unit and the Police
Air-Wing are to be deployed to strategic places. While Aerial surveillance and
patrols will be provided by the Police Air-Wing with the support of the
Air-Force, all parts of the State linked to water ways, will be effectively
patrolled by the Force Marine department, which will be ably supported by the
Navy.
Meanwhile,
Policemen involved in the election duty have been ordered to ensure that they
work in line with the Police Code of Conduct and international best standards
while those attached to VIPs and politicians involved in the Anambra election
are also strongly warned to ensure that they do not conduct themselves in a
manner capable of undermining the electoral process throughout the period of
the election, stressing that officers found breaching their oath of office will
be severely brought to book.
The
IGP has equally appealed to the good people of Anambra state, especially the
aspirants, to peacefully conduct themselves within the confines and
requirements of the law. He challenged them to lead by example by helping to
maintain a civil and tranquil atmosphere devoid of harassment and tension.
The
IGP also advised parents and guardians to keep watchful eyes on their children
and wards so that they are not deployed for illicit purposes under any guise,
as the Force will not hesitate to deal with any miscreant and his ally or
sponsor. He called on the people of Anambra State to cooperate with the Police
and all other security agencies that may be deployed for the election, to
ensure a peaceful and successful governorship election.
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