The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun has deployed Deputy Inspector General of Police, (DIG) Benjamin Okolo, as the supervisory officer for the Saturday governorship election in Anambra State.
The IGP had earlier announced the deployment of 45, 000 police personnel for the November 8, 2025 governorship.
In a statement signed by the spokesman of the Anambra State Police Command, , SP Tochukwu Ikenga, announced that “This deployment forms part of the strategic security measures approved by the Inspector General of Police to ensure a peaceful, credible, and professionally managed election environment across Anambra State
“The Nigeria Police Force reaffirms its commitment to safeguarding the electoral process, protecting the rights of citizens, and ensuring that all individuals and political actors conduct themselves in accordance with the law.
“The public is urged to remain law-abiding and to cooperate fully with Police officers and other security personnel detailed for election duties.”
Speaking on the heavy deployment of police and other security operatives to the state, the Anambra State Commissioner of Police, CP Abayomi Shogunle, told journalists in Awka that deployment to all the 21 local government areas of the state was to boost the sense of security and confidence of the electorate.
According to the CP, “The increase in security personnel is not to intimidate eligible voters but to ensure effective operations and safety at every polling unit. We want to guarantee voters’ confidence in coming out to cast their ballots without fear.
“The increase is not to scare legitimate voters but to guarantee effective operations and protection of voters and electoral officials.
“The number would be increased to 55,000 as against the initial 45,000 personnel, and they would include immigration, NDLEA, DSS, among others, and we assure you all that it would be a free fair and transparent.
“The personnel include officers from the Nigeria Police Force, Immigration Service, NDLEA, DSS, and other sister agencies, with at least three security officers assigned to each polling unit across the state.
“We assure the people of Anambra that the election will be free, fair, transparent, and devoid of intimidation. Our collective aim is to ensure the safety of voters, INEC officials, and all stakeholders involved.
“What we are doing here at the Central Bank of Nigeria is the delivery of the sensitive materials, which are BIVAS, forms EC8A and EC8B, for the Saturday election.”
In addition to DIG Benjamin Okolo, the Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of Operations, Yakubu Kwazhi who represented the IGP on the peace agreement signing in Awka will also be on ground to coordinate security during the election.
