The Commissioner of Police overseeing security operations for Saturday’s Anambra governorship election, Abayomi Shogunle, has announced the deployment of 60,000 security operatives drawn from multiple agencies to guarantee a safe and credible poll.
The disclosure was made in a statement issued on Tuesday in Awka by the state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga.
According to Shogunle, a central command structure has been activated to facilitate real-time intelligence sharing, coordination, and swift response during the election.
He explained that over 60,000 personnel from security agencies under the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) had been jointly deployed across the state.
“The committee will secure the 5,720 polling units, with tactical teams stationed along inter-local government and state boundaries, as well as at designated collation centres,” he said.
The statement noted that since assuming duty, Shogunle had activated the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun’s enforcement protocol on anti-electoral offences to ensure strict compliance and prevent ballot snatching, vote-buying, and voter intimidation.
It added that the Police Commissioner had strengthened the Electoral Offences Desk to monitor social media and online platforms for cyber-related electoral crimes, ensuring swift investigation and prosecution where necessary.
Shogunle also reaffirmed the ban on Agunechemba and all other quasi-security outfits in Anambra, stressing that only recognised federal security agencies are authorised to provide election security as stipulated by law.
He further prohibited the movement of VIPs with armed escorts or security aides around polling or collation centres, warning that any breach would attract immediate arrest, withdrawal of escorts, and prosecution.
According to him, only officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), accredited observers, and journalists will be allowed access to restricted areas during the election.
The Commissioner urged political leaders, community heads, and voters to cooperate with security agencies to maintain peace before, during, and after the exercise.
The statement confirmed that the Police Commissioner can be reached through the emergency number 0809-600-0079 for prompt assistance and security response.
It added that Shogunle’s deployment aligns with the policing strategy approved by the Inspector-General of Police to strengthen security coordination and ensure a credible, transparent, and violence-free electoral process in Anambra State.