Usman Alkali Baba, the Inspector General of Police, has deployed over 11,000 security personnel to Edo State to ensure peaceful elections.
WITHIN NIGERIA reports that Ben Okolo, the Commissioner of Police in charge of elections in the state, informed journalists after a security meeting at the Government House in Benin City on Friday.
Okolo stated that the various security agencies are ready and have deployed men and logistics to various parts of the state to prevent violence during and after the elections.
He said:
We are looking at over 11,200 security operatives. We have made preparations; we have deployed men and logistics and there is a fantastic synergy between all the services.
Speaking to reporters earlier, state Governor Godwin Obaseki assured that security agencies are fully prepared to ensure the peaceful conduct of the state’s presidential and National Assembly elections on Saturday.
Obaseki stated that all security agencies in the state are prepared to provide a safe and secure environment for the elections, urging voters to turn out in large numbers on Saturday to exercise their constitutional rights without fear of intimidation or harassment.
He said;
I am quite satisfied with the level of coordination and cooperation among the security agencies. They have made known how they intend to secure each polling unit, ward collation center, local government collation center, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) office in Benin City.
Our appeal now is for the citizens to come out and fulfill their constitutional duties. It is also time to warn all of those who plan to ferment trouble not to even attempt it because the security agencies are more than ready to deal with anyone who ferments trouble.
People should come out peacefully, go to their polling units, make sure that they conduct themselves peacefully, go through the accreditation, vote, and leave the polling units until it is time for sorting if they have to be there.
Citizens should note that from 12 midnight, Saturday 25th, movements will be restricted until 6 pm after elections are over.