The Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba, on Sunday directed the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department, Johnson Kokumo, to take charge of the gubernatorial election security in Ekiti State.
Baba, in a statement by the Force spokesman, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, ordered that Kokumo be assisted by four Assistant Inspectors-General of Police; three Commissioners of Police; five Deputy Commissioners of Police; and 18 Assistant Commissioners of Police.
He also ordered mobilization and deployment of adequate police personnel, Armoured Personnel Carriers, technical capabilities of the Police Airwing, the Force Marine, Mounted Troops, K-9 Section and other operational assets.
The IGP said the senior officers were to coordinate human and other operational deployments in the three senatorial districts, 16 local government areas and the 2,445 polling units in the state.
He said Kokumo was 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 freely perform their civic responsibilities without molestation or intimidation.
Baba said this was to create a conducive environment that would guarantee the peaceful and proper conduct of the election in Ekiti State.
He said conventional police officers as well as personnel of the Police Mobile Force, Counter Terrorism Unit, Special Forces, Explosives Ordinance Unit, Force Intelligence Bureau, INTERPOL, Special Protection Unit, Force Public Relations Department and Police Medical Teams would be on the ground.
The police boss added that five Armored Personnel Carriers for patrol as well as four helicopters and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles for aerial surveillance amongst other unique operational capabilities would also be deployed.
Baba said was adequately prepared for Saturday’s gubernatorial poll in Ekiti.
