No fewer than 7,825 police personnel have been deployed for the Saturday, August 16, 2025 national legislative by-elections in Edo State.
Police Public Relations Officer, Edo State Command, Moses Yamu disclosed this in a statement on Friday in Benin City.
Yamu said the personnel would be deployed across all areas where the election would take place.
He said the personnel are drawn from Zone 5 Headquarters, the Edo State Command, Police Mobile Force,vPMF, Special Intervention Squad, SIS, and the Election Monitoring Team from the Nigeria Police Force Headquarters, Abuja.
According to him, the massive deployment is aimed at providing adequate security before, during and after the elections, to guarantee the safety of voters, electoral officials and materials, while maintaining law and order.
He added that the Command is imposing a restriction of movement from 12:00 midnight of Friday, August 15, 2025, to 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 16, 2025 in all areas where elections will be conducted.
The Command’s image maker said the measure is to prevent any form of interference, disruption or breach of peace during the electoral process.
“The Commissioner of Police, Edo State Command, Monday Agbonika, appeals to members of the public to comply with this directive. Only those on essential duties with valid identification will be allowed passage.
“The Command warns that any individual or group found violating the restriction order, or engaging in acts capable of disrupting the election, or undermining the peace, will be dealt with in accordance with the law.
“The Edo State Police Command reiterates its commitment to neutrality, professionalism, and the protection of democratic values during this exercise,” he said.
The Command equally urged all eligible voters to come out and exercise their civic responsibility without fear, as adequate arrangements have been made for their safety.
The elections would be conducted in seven local government areas in the state.
The senatorial election would be conducted in Edo Central to fill the position vacated by Governor Monday Okpebholo, while the Ovia federal constituency poll would be conducted to fill the position left by the Deputy Governor, Dennis Idahosa.
Five local governments are in Edo Central Senatorial District while two, namely Ovia North-East and Ovia South West, make up Ovia Federal Constituency.
