Usman Baba, Inspector-General of Police, has deployed 98 senior officers to Anambra ahead of the November 6 governorship election in the state.
Over the past months, violent attacks in the state and the sit-at-home order by the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) have cast a doubt on the possibility of the election holding on the scheduled date.
On Saturday, IPOB announced that the south-east will be on lockdown from November 4 in solidarity with Nnamdi Kanu, its leader, who is currently in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS).
However, President Muhammadu Buhari had given marching orders to security agencies to ensure smooth conduct of the election.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had, on Monday, also said the election will proceed as scheduled.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the IGP ordered a “major overhauling” of the security architecture in the state.
Baba also directed that Joseph Egbunike, deputy inspector-general of police, should be deployed as the state coordinator of the security component of the election.
“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,” a statement by Frank Mba, force spokesperson, reads.
“DIG Egbunike will be assisted by the DIG in charge of operations, acting DIG Zaki Ahmed. Other strategic commanders deployed to Anambra state include five (5) assistant inspectors general of police (AIGs), fourteen (14) commissioners of police (CPs), thirty-one (31) deputy commissioners of police (DCPs) and forty-eight (48) assistant commissioners of police (ACPs).
“The senior officers are to coordinate human and other operational deployments in the three (3) senatorial districts, twenty-one (21) local government areas and the 5720 polling units in Anambra state.
“The IGP reassures the nation that the force is adequately prepared for the gubernatorial election in Anambra state come November 6th, 2021.”