Usman Baba, Inspector-General of Police, has said that a total of 34,587 operatives, with special forces, would be deployed in Anambra State for the November 6, governorship election.
The decision, he said, was taken as a result of the outcome of the election security threat analysis conducted by the Force Intelligence Bureau.
Baba, during a meeting with senior officers from the rank of Commissioners of Police and above in Abuja on Thursday, said that those to be drafted included the conventional police officers, Police Mobile Force, the Counter-Terrorism Unit, Special Forces, Explosive Ordinance Unit, Force Intelligence Bureau, INTERPOL, Special Protection Unit and the medical team.
He said that three helicopters and detachments of Marine Police operatives would also be on duty to ensure a safe, secure and credible electoral process in the state.
“Based on the outcome of threat analysis, we have developed a strategic election security operation plan which will involve the mobilisation of 34, 587 police personnel.
“Let me use this opportunity to assure all citizens and stakeholders, including the international community of our determination to work with other security agencies to stabilise the prevailing situation in Anambra.
“The idea is to create a conducive and enabling environment that will guarantee peaceful conduct of the election.
“We are also committed to partnering with the Independent National Electoral Commission within the dictates of the electoral act to deliver a credible election in Anambra,” the IG said.
Baba warned criminal elements and political actors “who would want to adopt undemocratic and illegal means to achieve their aspirations to bury such thought.”
