The Niger State Police Command has announced massive security deployments across the state ahead of the November 1st Local Government Councils elections to ensure a peaceful and credible exercise.
Spokesperson of the Command, SP W. A. Abiodun, disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday, noted that the Commissioner of Police, CP Adamu Abdullahi Elleman, has ordered the deployment of three Deputy Commissioners of Police to the three senatorial districts of the state for election security monitoring and supervision.
According to Abiodun, the move is part of broader efforts by the Command to provide adequate security coverage before, during, and after the elections.
He explained that CP Elleman also ordered the deployment of a large contingent of police personnel and operational assets, including tactical units such as 12PMF, 61PMF, Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU), Explosive Ordnance Disposal–Chemical Biological Radiological and Nuclear (EOD-CBRN), Special Protection Unit (SPU), Tactical Support Team (TST), Crack Squad, and Anti-Kidnapping Unit.
Abiodun added that other security agencies under the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) would collaborate with the Police to ensure security coverage across all 4,950 polling units and 274 wards in the 25 local government areas of the state.
An operational order for the election duty has been issued to all Area Commanders, Tactical Commanders, and Divisional Police Officers (DPOs), clearly stating their specific responsibilities including escorting and protecting sensitive and non-sensitive election materials and ensuring a conducive atmosphere for voters to exercise their rights.
Reaffirming the Command’s commitment to a peaceful and credible poll, CP Elleman urged political parties and their supporters to abide by the rules of engagement. He warned that the Police and other security agencies would not hesitate to deal decisively with anyone attempting to disrupt the process.
The Commissioner further announced that vehicular movement would be restricted across the state from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on election day, except for officials on essential duties.
