As the governorship election slated for Ekiti State takes place next Saturday, June 18, 2022, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, has ordered the deployment of Deputy Inspector General of Police, Johnson Babatunde Kokumo as the Coordinator of the security component for the Election.
DIG Kokumo is the Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) and the supervisory DIG for the South-West Geo-Political Zone.
Also deployed to assist the DIG are four Assistant Inspectors-General of Police (AIGs), three Commissioners of Police (CPs), five Deputy Commissioners of Police (DCPs) and 18 Assistant Commissioners of Police (ACPs).
Confirming the deployment on Sunday, the spokesperson of the Nigerian Police, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi said in Abuja that the Senior Officers are to coordinate human and other operational deployments in the three Senatorial Districts, 16 Local Government Areas, and the 2445 polling units in Ekiti State.
To complement those human deployments and mobilization, there are also adequate deployments of Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs), technical capabilities of the Police Airwing, the Force Marine, Mounted Troops, K-9 Section, and other operational assets for the Gubernatorial Elections.
It was further revealed that there is the deployment of selected seasoned Strategic Commanders from the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police and above for effective supervision of security personnel and operations in the Election.
In his statement, “DIG Kokumo is responsible for overseeing the implementation of the Operation Order evolved from the Election Security Threat Assessment, to ensure a peaceful and conducive environment devoid of violence and to guarantee law-abiding citizens of secured and to freely perform their civic responsibilities without molestation or intimidation.
“The Force has carried out these necessary operational deployments as part of actions aimed at creating a conducive and enabling environment that will guarantee the peaceful and proper conduct of the election in Ekiti State.
“The IGP further noted that the personnel, comprising conventional police officers, Police Mobile Force (PMF), Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU), Special Forces personnel, Explosives Ordinance Unit (EOD), Force Intelligence Bureau (FIB), INTERPOL, Special Protection Unit (SPU), Force Public Relations Department (FPRD), as well as Police Medical Teams, will be on the ground to guarantee free, fair, credible and acceptable election.
“In addition, five Armored Personnel Carriers for the patrol as well as four helicopters and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) for aerial surveillance amongst other unique operational capabilities.
“The IGP reassures the nation and the international community that the Force is adequately prepared for the Gubernatorial Election in Ekiti State which is scheduled to hold on June 18, 2022.
“He reiterates that the Force will do everything within its powers to work with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and all stakeholders to protect democratic values, provide a level playing field for all political actors, ensure adequate protection of voters, INEC officials, equipment, accredited observers, both domestic and international, and other key players in Ekiti State.
IGP Baba, therefore, admonishes the electorates in the State to be law-abiding and comply with the restriction of movement order which will be announced by the Commissioner of Police when due.
He also called on the citizens to come out en masse and exercise their franchise as adequate security has been emplaced by the Police and other security agencies to protect them before, during and after the election.
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