Two Deputy Inspectors-General of Police [DIGs], five Assistant Inspectors-General [AIGs],14 Commissioners of Police [CPs], 31 Deputy Commissioners of Police (DCPs), and 48 Assistant Commissioners of Police [ACPs] have been deployed to Anambra State ahead of November 6 governorship election.
Inspector General of Police Usman Baba Alkali ordered the redeployment on Tuesday.
The mass deployment is is apparently a response to the general apprehension that the election may be disrupted by the proscribed IPOB militant group.
Force Headquaters spokesperson, Frank Mba, in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja, said the deployment is “a major overhauling of the security landscape in Anambra” ahead of the election.
DIG Joseph Egbunike is to co-ordinate the security component for the election, he said.
He would be assisted by the acting DIG in-charge of operations, Zaki Ahmed.
“DIG Egbunike is saddled with the responsibility of overseeing the implementation of the Operation Order evolved from the Election Security Threat Assessment, to ensure a peaceful environment devoid of violence and conducive enough to guarantee that law abiding citizens freely perform their civic responsibilities without molestation or intimidation,” the force spokesman said.
“The IGP calls on citizens in Anambra State to come out en masse and exercise their franchise as adequate security has been emplaced to protect them before, during and after the elections,” the statement said.
IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, is facing trial for alleged treason.
The group has been fingered for dozens attacks that killed hundreds of security personnel and destroyed many federal facilities across the southeast region.
