Ekiti Guber Poll: Police conclude deployment, activate response line

The Nigeria Police Force on Friday said it has concluded comprehensive security deployments and operational arrangements for the Ekiti State Governorship Election scheduled to hold on Saturday.

The police said the deployment covers all 2,545 polling units across the state, as well as critical infrastructure, major entry and exit routes, border communities and other strategic locations.

Providing an update on the Force’s preparedness, the Commissioner of Police in charge of Election Security, CP Shogule Abayomi, stated that a multi-layered security architecture has been adopted to ensure a peaceful, credible and hitch-free electoral process.

He said that security personnel and operational assets have been strategically deployed across polling units and other identified locations to guarantee the safety of voters, electoral officials, observers, and election materials throughout the exercise.

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu has also assured members of the public that all personnel deployed for election duty have been adequately briefed on their responsibilities and rules of engagement and will discharge their duties professionally, impartially, and in accordance with the law.

The Nigeria Police Force warned that electoral offences and any act capable of undermining the integrity of the electoral process will be dealt with in accordance with the Electoral Act and other extant laws.

It urged residents to remain law-abiding and conduct themselves peacefully throughout the election period.

The Force encouraged members of the public to promptly report any security concerns through the dedicated election emergency line, 080062335577, which it said will remain active throughout the election period to facilitate timely response and intervention.

It also urged eligible voters to go out peacefully and exercise their constitutional rights without fear or intimidation, while also cautioning against the spread of unverified information capable of causing panic or disrupting public order.

The police reassured residents of Ekiti State of its commitment to the protection of lives and property and the conduct of a free, fair, credible and peaceful election.