- As IGP assures of adequate security, credible polls
The Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID), DIG Johnson Babatunde Kokumo, who also is the supervisory DIG for the South-West Geo-Political Zone, would be leading four Assistant Inspector General of Police, four Commissioners of Police, 15 Deputy Commissioners of Police, and 30 Assistant Commissioners of Police to ensure proper security management during the upcoming Osun State gubernatorial election holding on Saturday.
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, announced the deployment in a statement signed by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, on Monday, saying adequate police officers have been deployed to enforce law and order during the election.
“DIG Kokumo is responsible for overseeing the implementation of the Operation Order evolved from the Election Security Threat Assessment, to ensure a peaceful and conducive environment devoid of violence and to guarantee law-abiding citizens in the state of a secured space to freely perform their civic responsibilities without molestation or intimidation,” the statement said.
It further added that other Senior Officers deployed are to coordinate human and other operational deployments in the three Senatorial Districts, thirty (30) Local Government Areas, and the 3,753 polling units in Osun State.
Also, the IGP ordered the deployment of the Commissioner of Police and Provost Marshall at the Force Headquarters, CP Julius Alawari, to Osun State for the election purpose while CP the Osun State Commissioner of Police, Olokode Taoheed Olawale, has been temporarily moved to the Force Headquarters until the conclusion of the election.
According to the statement, IGP Baba, “emphasized that these necessary operational deployments are part of actions aimed at creating a conducive and enabling environment that will guarantee peaceful and proper conduct of the Osun Gubernatorial election.”
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While guaranteeing free, fair and credible elections, the IGP further noted that “the personnel, comprising conventional police officers, Police Mobile Force (PMF), Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU), Special Forces personnel, Explosives Ordinance Disposal Unit (EOD), Force Intelligence Bureau (FIB), INTERPOL, Special Protection Unit (SPU), Police Airwing, Public Relations Department (FPRD), as well as Police Medical Teams, will be on the ground.”
The statement added, “The IGP reassured the nation and the international community that the Force is satisfactorily prepared for the election. He reiterated the commitment of the Force to synergizing with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), all stakeholders, and other security agencies to protect democratic values, provide a level playing field for all political actors, ensure adequate protection of voters, INEC officials, equipment, accredited observers, both domestic and international, and other key players in Osun State.”
Five Armored Personnel Carriers (APC) for patrol, three helicopters, and six Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) for aerial surveillance amongst other unique operational assets were also deployed by the IGP to ensure adequate security.
Therefore, the police boss urged the electorates to come out en masse to cast their votes while admonishing them to be law-abiding and cooperate with security agencies before, during and after the election.
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