The Inspector General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, at the Second Strategic Police Managers Conference for Senior Police Officers from the rank of Commissioner of Police and above, at the Force Headquarters, Abuja, ordered the mobilization and deployment of 34,587 police personnel, three Police Helicopters, technical capabilities of the Police Air Wing, the Force Marine and the Force Animal Branch, and other operational assets for the Gubernatorial Elections in Anambra State slated for 6th November, 2021.
The Force Public Relations Officer, Force Headquarters, Abuja, CP Frank Mba, in a statement on Thursday indicated that the IGP revealed that the Force has conducted an Election Security Threat Analysis as part of preparations for the Elections and also developed a Strategic Election Security Operational plan to stabilize the prevailing security situation in Anambra State.
These actions, Mba said, are aimed at creating a conducive and enabling environment that will guarantee the peaceful conduct of the elections. The IGP further noted that the 34,587 personnel, comprising conventional police officers, Police Mobile Force (PMF), Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU), Special Forces personnel, Explosives Ordinance Unit (EOD), Force Intelligence Bureau (FIB), INTERPOL, Special Protection Unit (SPU) as well as Police Medical Teams, will be on ground to guarantee a hitch-free election. In addition, three Police helicopters will be deployed for aerial surveillance amongst other unique operational capabilities.
The IGP also charged the Commissioners of Police in the 36 States of the Federation and the FCT as well as their supervisory Assistant Inspectors General of Police to return to their Commands and strengthen the security architecture therein, especially, as the year gradually winds down, and the Yuletide season draws closer.
The IGP further directed the Strategic Commanders to evolve proactive anti-crime approaches to enable the Force stay ahead against any anticipated security threats to the lives and property of the citizenry.
The IGP called on citizens to continue to support the Police in their various localities, noting that a robust police operational asset would be delivered soon which will no doubt re-energize policing operations toward improving public safety and security in the country. He assured the nation that the various policing reforms being vigorously pursued by the Force leadership will avail citizens with a more professional, effective, proactive, and accountable Police Force.