There is heavy presence of security personnel at the various polling units and flash points in Jos, the Plateau State capital, and evirons as elections hold across the 17 local government areas of the state on Saturday.
A correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria who visited some of the areas, reports that personnel of the military, Police, Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps and other security agencies were seen at the various polling units and voting points.
Areas visited include Tudun Wada, Rayfield, Mai Adikwo, Abattoir, Goradong, Gura Topp, Rukuba Road, and Agwan Rukuba, all in Jos South and Jos North local government areas of the state.
ASP Ubah Ogaba, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, told NAN that the security personnel were deployed to ensure peaceful conduct of elections.
“The presence of the security personnel at election points is not to intimidate or scare voters but to ensure that the process goes on peacefully and in an orderly manner.
“The massive deployment of Police personnel to all the polling units and other strategic areas is to provide tight security before, during and after the election.
“It has also come to our notice that certain individuals and groups have hatched plans to disrupt peace in the state especially during this period of election.
“The Command hereby warns these persons or groups to have a rethink and drop any such nefarious plans in their own interest and the interest of peace in the state.
“So, we call on political parties to caution their members and supporters against any act that will lead to the breach of law and order,” he advised.
The PPRO urged the residents to be law abiding and report suspicious movements to security agencies for prompt response.
On his part, DSC Chris Longbit, the Public Relations Officer of NSCDC, Plateau Command, advised the electorates to be civil in their conducts.
“Citizens are encouraged to exercise their civic duties in accordance to the laid-down rules and regulations guiding the elections as prescribed by the state independent electoral commission.
“Those who might have plans to disrupt this process by whatever means are by this statement warned to desist from such plans in their interest and that of the peace of the state as appropriate consequences shall be meted to anyone found wanting,” he said.
NAN.
