By Harry Awurumibe, Editor, Abuja Bureau
Elements threatening to disrupt elections in the South East especially in the troubled Orsu, Orlu and Okigwe areas of Imo state will have the well-prepared Nigeria security agencies to contend with as the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Usman Baba Alkali said police will provide security cover for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) ad hoc staff to conduct elections without fear of attacks.
This is even as the Commission’s Chairman Professor Mahmood Yakubu insists that elections will go on across Nigeria tomorrow especially in the much-talked about flash points in the country including Orlu and Okigwe in Imo state.
Speaking at the Media Briefing at National Collation Center at International Conference Center, Abuja on Friday both the INEC Chairman and IGP assured Nigerians and international community that the Presidential and National Assembly elections will hold as scheduled.
INEC boss who gave situation reports revealed that the Commission is on course to deliver a free, fair and credible elections, pointing out that sensitive materials and electoral officers have been deployed across the country waiting for the elections to commence by 8:30 am on Saturday, February 25, 2023.
On how soon the Commission will announce the final result of the Presidential election, he said he will not put a finger on it but assured that it will be announced as soon as practicable because he is aware that Nigerians and the whole world awaits the result of the Presidential election on Saturday.
Also providing updates on the preparedness of the Nigerian Police as the lead agency in the Election Security, IGP Alkali said Police is more than ready to quell any security threats before, during and after the elections.
According to him, policing of the general election has started long time ago and will continue to provide adequate security to ensure that INEC conducts the elections in secured atmosphere.
Said he: “It’s my pleasure to add my voice to that of INEC Chairman who have stated that Police has assured of adequate security to protect the INEC ad hoc staff during the elections. For the Election Day, Police as the lead agency is prepared to provide security throughout the country.
“Also, a total of 425,106 strong Force has been mobilised to provide a blanket cover for the smooth conduct of the 2023 general
election. These include Police and sister agencies Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Immigration Services, Correctional Services, Department of State Service (DSS), National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) among others”
The IGP revealed that security agencies are made up of Armed Escorts, Guards at the Polling Units and for areas that requires minimum maximum forces while areas that need maximum forces because of threats will have Motorized Armed Police just as the Police has made adequate arrangements for Armed Patrols and to compliment the Police formation at the various Collection Centers across the country.
“Nigeria Police has deployed about 74 Armoured Personnel Carriers (APC), 6 Attack Helicopters and 20 Ambulances among others. Also, Police Air Wing is to be supported by Nigeria Air Force while our Marine Police is to be assisted by Nigerian Navy”, Alkali disclosed.
On the challenges, he said attacks on INEC offices across the country and activities of Indigenous Peoples of Biafrans (IPOB) and its militant wing Eastern Security Network (ESN) as well as the unguarded utterances of political leaders and some Governors which are hitting up the polity will be dealt with.
On Orsu and Okigwe situation, he said that security agencies posted to the areas are ready to protect the INEC ad hoc staff and citizens to vote on Election Day.
