The Inspector-General of Police, Mr Mohammed Abubakar, on Monday said the highest number of support personnel and equipment would be deployed from the Force Headquarters to Ekiti governorship election.
Abubakar, who spoke to newsmen shortly before the deployment, said the step was to prevent violence and ensure free and fair election in the state on Saturday, June 21.
“Knowing what Ekiti used to be during elections, we have gone a step further to do all the things we are supposed to do in terms of materials and human resources.
“Do not ask the number of personnel I am going to use, in security business we want to keep that to our chest so that we can do our best.
“I tell you it is one of the highest number we can ever expect to be deployed to any state that we have been because we must look at history,’’ he said.
He assured that the police and other security agencies would do everything possible to prevent recurrence of election violence witnessed in the old Ondo in 1983.
“Some of us who are opportune to be in Ondo State in 1983, during Omoboriowo’s election, we know what happened and we are doing everything to ensure that it is prevented.’’
Abubakar said the police would ensure that the June 21 governorship election in Ekiti was free, fair and without violence.
According to him, security agencies in the last three months have been carrying out surveillance and gathering information toward ensuring free and fair election in Ekiti.
He assured Ekiti residents that adequate security would be provided to enable them exercise their franchise, and urged politicians to prevail on their supporter to maintained the peace
Abubakar charged those deployed to Ekiti to abide by the code of conduct and be fair and firm in the discharge of their duties.
“We have already made plans to ensure that you are paid your allowances in Ekiti, therefore, I do not expect you to do anything stupid.
“Remember you are going to be watched not only by our own officers but by other organisations, including civil society organisations and international monitors who will be in Ekiti .
“I expect you as good ambassadors of the Nigeria Police to obey the code of conduct and at the same time respect the rule of law and all other regulations guiding the Ekiti election,’’ he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that more than 50 vehicles, including trucks, Amoured Personnel Carriers (APC), ambulance and patrol vans, were deployed.
NAN also reports that one bomb detector robot and three helicopters were also deployed to the state to beef up security before, during and after the election.
