By Hassan Zaggi
The Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of police in charge Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID), Johnson Babatunde Kokumo, 4 Assistant Inspectors General (DIG), 3 command Commissioners of Police (CPs), 5 Deputy Commissioners of Police (DCPs) and 18 Assistant Commissioners (ACPs) have been ordered by the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Usman Baba Alkali, to supervise the Ekiti state gubernatorial election.
The election is slated for June 18, 2022.
In a statement by the Force Spokesman, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the IGP also ordered the mobilisation of adequate police personnel, Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs), technical capabilities of the Police Airwing, the Force Marine, Mounted Troops, K-9 Section, and other operational assets for the Ekiti State elections.
In addition, 5 Armored Personnel Carriers for patrol as well as 4 helicopters and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) for aerial surveillance amongst other unique operational capabilities have been drafted to the state.
DIG Johnson Babatunde Kokumo is the Coordinator of the security component for the Ekiti State gubernatorial election.
The statement explained that DIG Kokumo “is responsible for overseeing the implementation of the Operation Order evolved from the Election Security Threat Assessment, to ensure a peaceful and conducive environment devoid of violence and to guarantee law abiding citizens of secured and peaceful atmosphere to freely perform their civic responsibilities without molestation or intimidation.
“DIG Kokumo will be assisted by 4 Assistant Inspectors-General of Police (AIGs), 3 Commissioners of Police (CPs), 5 Deputy Commissioners of Police (DCPs) and 18 Assistant Commissioners of Police (ACPs).
“The Senior Officers are to coordinate human and other operational deployments in the 3 Senatorial Districts, 16 local government areas and the 2445 polling units in Ekiti State.”
According to the IGP, the Force has carried out these necessary operational deployments as part of actions aimed at creating a conducive and enabling environment that will guarantee the peaceful and proper conduct of the election in Ekiti State.
He noted that the personnel, comprising conventional police officers, Police Mobile Force (PMF), Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU), Special Forces personnel, Explosives Ordinance Unit (EOD), Force Intelligence Bureau (FIB), INTERPOL, Special Protection Unit (SPU), Force Public Relations Department (FPRD), as well as Police Medical Teams, will be on ground to guarantee free, fair, credible and acceptable election.
IGP Baba Alkali, however, reassured that the Force is adequately prepared for the Ekiti Gubernatorial Election.
He reiterated that the Force will do everything within its powers to work with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and all stakeholders to protect democratic values, provide level playing field for all political actors, ensure adequate protection of voters, INEC officials, equipment, accredited observers, both domestic and international, and other key players in Ekiti State.
The IGP, therefore, admonished the residents of Ekiti State to be law-abiding and comply with the restriction of movement order which will be announced by the Commissioner of Police.
The IGP further called on Ekiti residents to come out en masse and exercise their franchise “as adequate security measures has been emplaced by the Police and other security agencies to protect them before, during and after the election.”
