The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) will deploy 33,783 personnel to provide security at the Ondo State governorship election holding on October 10, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr Mohammed Adamu, has said.
Adamu made this known during a stakeholders meeting with political parties, traditional rulers, election observers and other stakeholders on Monday in Akure.
He said the Force would deploy 30,933 conventional police personnel and 2,850 special agents for the exercise.
He said that the police deployment would be complemented by an additional 3,500 manpower to be drawn from other security agencies.
“The military will be engaged for the purpose of securing the state’s borders while the Nigeria Police Air Wing will provide air surveillance.
“The personnel shall be deployed to adequately secure the 3,009 polling units in the 203 wards in the 18 local government areas of the state.
“They are to protect the personnel and assets of the Independent National Electoral Commission, the electorate and residents of Ondo State in general before, during and after the election,’’ he said.
Adamu said that the rationale for the deployment was drawn from the experience garnered at the recently-concluded governorship election in Edo State and proactive response to the outcome of intelligence analyses gathered on Ondo State’s governorship elections.
He added that the deployment was equally to deny misguided political actors who might be bent on threatening the election procedure through acts inimical to the dictates of the Electoral Act, the pleasure of manifesting their ignoble traits.
According to him, the deployment will send strong signal that the police and other security agencies are resolute to bring recalcitrant characters threatening the electoral process to justice no matter their status in the society or political affiliation.
“I hereby warn violence mongers to immediately desist from their uncharitable deviant activities or be prepared to face the consequences.
“I call on all the political parties to embrace the virtues of democracy by regarding elections as a call to service of the people and not ‘a do-or-die’ affair.
“I implore parents and guardians to counsel their children and wards to resist the unprofitable urge of being recruited by any politician for thuggery and other acts of violence,’’ he said.
