Police deploy 34,000 officers for Ondo guber poll

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) says it has deployed 34,000 officers in Ondo ahead of Saturday’s off-cycle governorship election.

Abiodun Alabi, the deputy inspector-general of police (DIG) coordinating election security, spoke on Friday during an interview on Politics Today, a Channels Television programme.

Alabi said adequate measures are in place to stop the infiltration of thugs during the poll, noting that operatives will be stationed at the 3,933 polling units in all LGAs of the state.

“We just want to dominate the security space, to let people know that we cannot allow anybody to truncate the electoral process,” he said.

“We have intelligence that some people are trying to organise some militias to truncate the electoral process.”

The police chief said tactical units, an aerial surveillance team, and marine police, among others, would be deployed in the state.

Alabi noted that there would be restrictions on movement on the election day from 6am to 6pm, adding that the police have received intelligence about plans to sabotage the poll.

He assured voters of their safety, noting that the police have done adequate threat analysis to ensure a peaceful election.

“No movement; we are going to restrict everybody’s movement. We don’t want anybody to infiltrate the state,” he added.

“It is part of the intelligence we have had that some people are trying to bring in thugs, hoodlums from the neighbouring states of Edo and Osun to come and cause problems here. We are not going to allow that to happen.

“We are working hand in hand with the military, who will take care of our borders. We are not going to allow anybody to infiltrate the state.”