Nov 16 Guber Election:IG Police Visits Anambra ,Deploys 3 Commissioners

In continuation of his earlier efforts at ensuring a successful, free, fair and credible gubernatorial election in Anambra State which will take place on November 16, 2013, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP MD Abubakar CFR, NPM, mni, psc today, 13^th November, 2013 paid a working visit to Awka, Anambra State capital where he addressed Police personnel serving and deployed to Anambra State for the election. The IGP warned them to be firm, meticulous and ensure that nothing untoward happens within their areas of jurisdiction. He further cautioned the officers to shun any conduct capable of bringing stain to the image of the Force.

The IGP also deployed three Commissioners of Police namely CPs Usman Akila Gwarry, Isaac Chinonyerem Eke and Abdulmajid Ali ahead of the election to supervise security arrangements within the three Senatorial Zones - Anambra Central, Anambra South and Anambra North Senatorial Zones respectively.

In a related development, the IGP along with the INEC chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, during the strategic stakeholders’ forum which took place at Women Development Centre, Awka, addressed politicians, as well as other relevant stakeholders involved in the Anambra election, urging them to play by the rules of the game. The meeting also had in attendance: the Anambra Resident Electoral Commissioner, Prof. Chukwuemeka Onukaogu, party chieftains, gubernatorial candidates and electorates.

  

Meanwhile As a conscious effort towards protecting the integrity of the electoral process and forestalling acts that may constitute threats to the safety and security of voters as well as electoral officials and materials, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP MD Abubakar, CFR, NPM, mni, psc has ordered massive deployment of personnel and logistics of the Force to Anambra state for the November 16, 2013 Gubernatorial election. To this end, the IGP has directed the DIG ‘B’ Department, DIG Philemon I. Leha, PSC – an officer with a robust operational background and former Commissioner of Police, Anambra State - to relocate to Awka for an effective coordination of all security operations for the election and to ensure that the Force maintains a firm grip on its security network covering the over four thousand polling units and all the collation centres in the state.

Consequently, all striking units of the Force, including personnel of the Police Mobile Force (PMF), Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU), the Bomb Disposal Unit and the Police Air-Wing are to be deployed to strategic places. While Aerial surveillance and patrols will be provided by the Police Air-Wing with the support of the Air-Force, all parts of the State linked to water ways, will be effectively patrolled by the Force Marine department, which will be ably supported by the Navy.

Meanwhile, Policemen involved in the election duty have been ordered to ensure that they work in line with the Police Code of Conduct and international best standards while those attached to VIPs and politicians involved in the Anambra election are also strongly warned to ensure that they do not conduct themselves in a manner capable of undermining the electoral process throughout the period of the election, stressing that officers found breaching their oath of office will be severely brought to book.

The IGP has equally appealed to the good people of Anambra state, especially the aspirants, to peacefully conduct themselves within the confines and requirements of the law. He challenged them to lead by example by helping to maintain a civil and tranquil atmosphere devoid of harassment and tension. The IGP also advised parents and guardians to keep watchful eyes on their children and wards so that they are not deployed for illicit purposes under any guise, as the Force will not hesitate to deal with any miscreant and his ally or sponsor. He called on the people of Anambra State to cooperate with the Police and all other security agencies that may be deployed for the election, to ensure a peaceful and successful governorship election.

CSP FRANK E. MBA
 FORCE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER,
FORCE HEADQUARTERS,

ABUJA.