ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- The Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIG) in charge of Force Intelligence, Benjamin Okolo, who also oversees the election operations, has assured residents that comprehensive security measures have been put in place in line with directives from the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, as Anambra State prepares for its governorship election on Saturday November 7, 2025.
Earlier in the week, the IGP ordered all police commands and formations to ensure watertight security across the state and to intensify intelligence-driven operations aimed at preventing any attempt to disrupt the election.
He also warned political actors against actions capable of breaching the peace, emphasizing that the police would not hesitate to enforce the law where necessary.
Speaking at the Anambra State Police Command Headquarters in Awka on Friday, DIG Okolo said all security arrangements had been concluded to ensure a peaceful, fair, and credible election throughout the state.
He explained that the IGP had directed the maximum deployment of personnel, logistics, and intelligence resources to safeguard voters, electoral officials, and materials during the poll.
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Addressing concerns about potential flashpoints, Okolo said:
“Adequate security arrangement has been made in accordance with the IGP’s directive. Also, arrangements have been made to contain any issue that may arise during the exercise. Deployments have been made to respond swiftly to such incidents.”
Highlighting the prevailing calm in Anambra, Okolo disclosed that the Nigeria Police Force, in collaboration with other security agencies, had organized stakeholder meetings and supervised the signing of a peace accord by political parties and candidates.
He said these efforts were designed to encourage peaceful participation and discourage violence before, during, and after the election.
“We assure the people of Anambra that, through our interactions with stakeholders, the peace accord, and the readiness of our men on ground, every intention has been made to ensure that the election is peaceful, fair, and credible,” he stated.
The DIG further urged voters to come out and exercise their civic duty without fear, assuring them that security personnel had been properly briefed to remain professional and neutral throughout the process.
According to him, security deployments had been made across all 21 local government areas, including checkpoints, collation centres, and other strategic locations.
The Police High Command, he said, was confident that Anambra was fully secured ahead of the poll.
In his contribution, Commissioner of Police (Air Wing), Martins Nwogo, assured that the airspace over Anambra State and surrounding areas had been fully secured.
“We are combing all nooks and crannies from the air with a tooth comb and will not hesitate to deal ruthlessly with any troublemaker,” Nwogo warned.
He commended IGP Egbetokun for the robust security arrangements, adding that all hands were on deck and no stone would be left unturned to guarantee a free, fair, and peaceful election in Anambra State.