Heavy security presence at Ondo INEC office ahead of governorship poll

There is heavy security presence at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) office in Ondo state ahead of Saturday’s governorship poll.

The facility is heavily guarded by personnel from various law enforcement agencies, including the Nigerian Police Force (NPF), Department of State Services (DSS), and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

All security officers present are armed, and outsiders trying to access the INEC headquarters attract intense frisking.

Security patrol vehicles are strategically positioned at the entrance gate and major road leading to the INEC state office.

Roadblocks are also mounted on major roads leading to the office, with sniffer dogs in and around the office premises.

Earlier in the week, Kayode Egbetokun, the inspector general of police, said 43,157 security personnel would be deployed to the polling units, wards/LGA collation centres, and other strategic locations.

“It is expected that Four (4) Police personnel will be deployed at each polling unit, which implies that 15,732 conventional police personnel will be required for the 3,933 polling units and voting points in the State,” Egbetokun said.

“This will be complemented by the Armed Forces, the Intelligence Security Agencies and other sister Security Agencies. 8,500 personnel from the Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Correctional Service, Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Federal Road Safety Corps and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency will be deployed to augment the Police strength. This will bring the total number of security personnel deployed for the election to 43,157.”

Ayuba Philips, deputy commandant general in charge of operations at NSCDC, warned operatives to avoid any action that could undermine the election.

He added that any officer found culpable would dismissed from service.

“We want the people to trust us and also believe in us, that we shall give them the best and nothing but the best,” Ayuba said.

“However, let me just say, from the authority of the defence. We don’t condone any act of unprofessionalism from any of our officers and men.

“Anybody who decides to commit any atrocity, I think he is asking himself to be out of the system. We shall not leave anybody. Once you commit, you should know your way is out.”