The Nigeria Police Force said 33,783 personnel will be deployed to Ondo State to provide security during the governorship election fixed for Oct. 10.
The Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Adamu, disclosed this at a stakeholders meeting with political parties, traditional rulers, election observers and other stakeholders in Akure on Monday.
According to him, the Force would deploy 30,933 conventional police personnel and 2,850 special agents for the exercise.
He said that the police deployment would be complemented by an additional 3,500 manpower to be drawn from other security agencies.
Adamu added: “The military will be engaged for the purpose of securing the state’s borders while the Nigeria Police Air Wing will be provide air surveillance.
“The personnel shall be deployed to adequately secure the 3,009 polling units in the 203 wards the 18 local government areas of the state.
“They are to protect the personnel and assets of the Independent National Electoral Commission, the electorate and residents of Ondo State in general before, during and after the election.”
He explained that the deployment was as a result of the experience from the recently-concluded governorship election in Edo State and proactive response to the outcome of intelligence analyses gathered on Ondo State’s governorship elections.
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He added said that the deployment was equally to deny misguided political actors who might be bent on threatening the election procedure through acts inimical to the dictates of the Electoral Act, the pleasure of carrying out their ignoble plans.
According to the police chief, the deployment will send strong signal that the police and other security agencies are resolute to bring recalcitrant characters threatening the electoral process to justice no matter their status in the society or political affiliation.
He warned “violence mongers to immediately desist from their uncharitable deviant activities or be prepared to face the consequences.”
He also call on all the political parties to embrace the virtues of democracy by seeing elections as a call to service of the people and not ‘a do-or-die’ affair.
