Lucky Obukohwo, reporting
The Inspector General of Police, Usman Baba Akali has deployed police officers to 185 Local Government Areas ahead of Saturday’s Supplementary Polls in 2,660 polling units across the country.
He assured voters of their safety at the polls.
IGP Baba also ordered the deployment of policemen to 185 Local Government Areas (LGAs) across 24 states of the Federation where supplementary polls will hold on Saturday.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had during the February 25 and March 18 elections declared some governorship, National Assembly and state assemblies’ polls inconclusive and directed a rerun.
Truth Live News reports that wide spread violence and voter suppression had earlier marred the February 25 and March 18 polls, especially in states like Lagos, Rivers, Edo amongst others as thugs unleashed mayhem on voters at polling units, fuelling voters’ apathy.
In a statement on Thursday, Force Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi said the IGP has “ordered the adequate deployment of supporting personnel and additional logistics for effective election security management during the forthcoming supplementary elections scheduled for Saturday 15th April, 2023”.
The statement read thus, “The additional support includes the deployment of personnel, operational vehicles, non-lethal weapons, personal protective equipment (body armor), anti-riot equipment etc.
“In the same vein, the IGP has directed all supervising senior police officers in charge of jurisdictions where the supplementary elections will be held, particularly the supplementary gubernatorial elections in Adamawa and Kebbi States, to ensure the emplacement of adequate manpower and other resources for effective policing of the electoral process.”
The IGP further appealed to the electorate in the affected states to come out in their large numbers to exercise their franchise and be law-abiding while maintaining peace and orderliness.