Off-cycle polls: Egbetokun assures Nigerians of adequate security

Kayode Egbetokun, acting inspector-general of police (IGP), says the force has put in place “watertight” measures to ensure free and fair governorship elections in Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi states.

Egbetokun spoke in Abuja on Thursday during a meeting with strategic police managers and the media to highlight policies, breakthroughs and achievements of the force in the last five weeks.

He said the meeting was also to discuss some operational plans for policing the off-cycle governorship elections on November 11.

“We are going to leverage on the fact that the elections are limited to just three states to deploy adequately for this election,” he said.

“Just as you have seen in other isolated elections in Nigeria, you will see that we have availability of men more in number than what we used to have in general election.

“So, I have no fear and nobody should entertain any fear about how safe and secure the elections are going to be in November.

“Just three states, it will be very convenient for us, so nobody should entertain any fear about the election, we are prepared for it and very soon we will start the deployment.”

Egbetokun said the police deliberately decided to take its annual retreat to one of the states where the election would be held.

“The conference would be two weeks to the election, so it is deliberate and not by accident that we chose that state and that date,” he said.

“It is to show to the public that we are ready for the election, so there is no fear about the election.”

He said the internal security situation of the country, over the last month, has been relatively calm in spite of the threats of political and socio-economic instability caused by the removal of the petrol subsidy and post-election tribunal judgements.

“Comparatively, we have recorded a lesser number of violent crimes and other major offences across the country,” Egbetokun said.

“We are all aware of recent government efforts toward economic recovery and growth through local and international engagements with investors and technocrats.

“The Nigeria Police Force is poised to support the efforts of government by providing the needed security and enabling environment for all legitimate businesses and other economic activities in Nigeria.”

The acting IGP said the force would leave no stone unturned in ensuring that it played its role in achieving economic recovery, growth, and social and political development of the nation.

“Consequently, all command commissioners of police and other tactical commanders are hereby directed to ensure adequate security is emplaced and sustained in their areas of responsibilities,” he said.

“Any attempt by unscrupulous persons to sabotage the economic revival that our country is about to witness will be met with stiff opposition from all of us.”