BENIN CITY-Eligible voters in Benin have expressed eagerness to participate in the Sept. 28 governorship election in Edo State as security agencies, yesterday, displayed readiness for the poll.
The residents comprising market women, traders, artisans, bankers and Civil Servants thronged out amass to watch gallant security agents displayed their readiness to provide adequate security before, during and after the election.
The agencies comprising the Police, Army, Immigration, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence (NSDC) and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) paraded major roads in Benin City, yesterday, in an exercise codenamed, “Operation Show of Force”.
Commenting on the exercise, the Commander, 4brigadge, Benin, Brig-Gen Benbella Ahmed Raji stated that the event is one of the precursor operations for the election security.
He said that the exercise which he disclosed, is holding simultaneously across the state, is meant to demonstrate the synergy between all the security agencies in the state.
Brig-Gen Raji disclosed that the role of the army for the election is to ensure security of strategic locations across Edo State.
“The army is expected to be at strategic locations to ensure that security in and out of Edo State, is top-notched, to ensure that we do not have unwanted elements to come and disrupt the election process”. Brig-Gen Raji stated.
Also, the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of operations at the Edo State Police Command headquarters DC Olatunji Ayodele stated that the morale of security agencies in the state, is very high.
He disclosed that the state police command had mapped out strategy for the election.
“This “Operation Show of Force” is to warn criminal elements that Edo State is not a place for them”. DC Olatunjito reiterated.
The eligible voters who were among thousands of residents that thronged out to watch gallant security officers drove in over 30 patrol vehicles including two ambulances, along major roads in the state capital.
“With what we are seeing now, I have no doubt of voters’ safety at the various voting centres, no security collaboration can be more than this. I hail this oneness. Whoever foment trouble would have him or herself to blame”. Some of the residents stated.
The exercise, organized by the state police command, lasted several hours as the security men finally returned to the command headquarters, where they earlier took off.
It will be recalled that similar operation was carried out on Wednesday, August 31, 2016.
