With 48 hours to the Bayelsa State governorship supplementary election in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area and 101 other polling units in the state, Inspector General of Police, Mr Solomon Arase, has said that adequate security logistics and manpower have been strategically deployed to achieve a conducive electioneering atmosphere.
The IG has subsequently, deployed a Deputy Inspector-General of Police to supervise security arrangements.
He will be assisted by an Assistant Inspector-General of Police and three Commissioners of Police. Over 5,000 officers and men have also been deployed for election duty.
The deployment, according to the IG, is in line with efforts to ensure adequate security for the forthcoming re-run government election that will take place in one out of the eight local government areas, scheduled to hold on Saturday, January 9, 2016.
The Force Public Relations Officer, Mrs Olabisi Kolawole, said in a statement on Thursday: “Meanwhile, the Police have commenced extensive security operations in the state, including the deployment of plainclothes detectives and surveillance helicopters for aerial patrols, while gunboats and speed boats will complement the Police Marine Unit to convey security personnel and election materials to riverine communities.
“Armed personnel from Police Mobile Force, Special Protection Unit, as well as Counter Terrorism Unit of the Force, are on ground to support the ongoing security operations in the state.
“In the same vein, the IG has also placed an order banning movements in and out of the local government area where elections will hold with effect from 6am to 6pm on Saturday.
“However, persons on essential duties such as ambulance service providers, INEC officials on-duty, security men, accredited election monitors/observers, accredited journalists, etc are not affected by this order.
“Expressing his regrets over the inconveniences that road users and the general public may suffer as a result of this restriction, the IG appeals for the understanding and cooperation of the entire citizenry, as the restriction is essentially to ensure the effective security of citizens, election officials and materials.”
-Vanguard
