By Kamsi Anayo and John Ugo
Ahead of Feb. 25 general elections, Anambra state police command has formulated a comprehensive strategy in synergy with INEC, military formations and sister security agencies in the state to provide the enabling security environment for peaceful, credible and transparent elections in the state.
The State Command Police Commissioner, Echeng Eworo Echeng disclosed this in a media chat with journalists on Thursday.
He said the personnel of the command have been trained in various areas and are better prepared for the task ahead.
According to him, to actualise this mandate in Anambra state therefore, the Command, in line with the strategic directives of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Alkali Baba Usman, has since formulated a comprehensive strategy in synergy with relevant and sister security agencies in the state, to provide the enabling security environment for peaceful, credible and transparent elections in the state.
He said that the plan which was conceived and being implemented under the umbrella of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) was based on a security threat analysis and risk assessment earlier conducted (but constantly updated) by Anambra State Police Command.
Echeng Echeng said, “In accordance with global best practices, our election security plan captures the three main phases in the electoral process, viz: the pre-election phase, election-days, and the post-election period. It is hearth-warming to note that the implementation of the pre-election phase has been largely successful, as electioneering campaigns in the state have been peaceful and devoid of violence”
Speaking on the plans for security, he said the Command, in synergy with the military and sister security agencies, will deploy unarmed law enforcement agents to man the 5,720 poling units across the state, escort and protect all INEC personnel and ad-hoc staff on election duty, and escort and protect all sensitive and non-sensitive electoral materials, as may be required by the INEC.
To operationalize the election-day security plan for the state, Echeng said the Command, in synergy with the military and sister security agencies, is poised to do the following on election days:
“Deploy unarmed law enforcement agents to man the 5,720 poling units across the state. Escort and protect all INEC personnel and ad-hoc staff on election duty.
“Escort and protect all sensitive and non-sensitive electoral materials as may be required by INEC. Provide robust security/confidence building patrols across communities to reassure the citizenry and encourage voters to come out and exercise their franchise freely.
“Maintain formidable rapid response teams across all the 326 wards to promptly and effectively respond to any distress call; Enforce movement restriction orders,” he said.
He called on the good people of Anambra state to come out on the forthcoming election-days and exercise their franchise without fear of favour.
The Commissioner of Police reassured the people that elections will hold in every part of Anambra State as planned, irrespective of the various incidences of unsuccessful gunmen attacks recently recorded in various parts of the state.
He also warned gunmen and other criminal elements who have plans to disrupt election in any part the state to think twice, as they would be lawfully dealt with by the law enforcement agencies.
The command maintained that no policeman would be seen escorting any politician on election day, even as movement is restricted to everyone, including the politicians.
“Let me at this juncture, strongly advise all political gladiators and their supporters to play the game according to rules, as anyone found wanting, shall be dealt with according to the law.
He said in the words of the President Muhammadu Buhari, “Nigerians should vote for whoever they like from whatever party. Nobody will be allowed to mobilize resources and thugs to intimidate people in any constituency.