Police IG Deploys 1 AIG, 5 CPs To Ekiti For Saturday’s Guber Poll

The Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, has deployed an Assistant Inspector-General of Police, AIG, and five Commissioners of Police, CP, to Ekiti to supervise security arrangements for Saturday’s governorship election.

This is contained in a statement issued in Abuja on Thursday by Frank Mba, Force Public Relations Officer.

The statement stated that Bala Nasarawa, an AIG, would be assisted by CP Ikechukwu Aduba, while CP Hosea Karma would take charge of the Police Mobile Force.

It stated that CPs Danladi Mshelbwala, Mohammed Ibrahim and Augustine Eubakhabokum, would be in charge of Ekiti North, Central and South, respectively.

Mr. Abubakar had earlier deployed Deputy Inspector-General of Police (Operations), Mike Zuokumor, to coordinate security before, during and after the election.

The statement stated that there would be restriction of movement in and out of Ekiti from 6 p.m. on Thursday until the elections were over.

“On Saturday 21st June 2014, which is the day of the election, movements will be restricted within the state between 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.

“Consequently, Kwara, Kogi, Ondo and Osun, which are contiguous to Ekiti will have increased police presence with all entry and exit points in and out of Ekiti maximally policed.

“Persons on essential duties such as Ambulance service providers, INEC officials, security men, accredited election monitors/observers, accredited journalists, etc are not affected by this order”.

According to the statement, which acknowledged the citizen’s right to freedom of movement as enshrined in the constitution, the restriction is informed by the exigencies of overriding security considerations.

The statement added that the order was informed by the need to forestall plans by criminal elements to undermine the electoral process as gathered through intelligence reports.

It urged the people of the state to see the restriction as a necessary sacrifice to ensure a seamless, credible and successful gubernatorial election.

The statement also appealed to travellers to use alternate routes where necessary within the stipulated period.

All security details were warned to desist from accompanying their principals and politicians to polling booths and collation centres during the election.

“Only security personnel specially assigned for election duties must be seen within and around the election designated places,” he said.

“These measures are aimed at ensuring proper coordination of security operations for a hitch-free election, devoid of electoral fraud”, the statement read.

(NAN)