…as FRSC operatives ordered to collaborate with security agencies

As preparations towards ensuring a smooth conduct of the Saturday, November 11, 2023 governorship election in Imo, Kogi and Bayelsa States hot up, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has deployed three Deputy Inspectors-General of Police (DIGs) to oversee security arrangements in the three states.

The Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, who announced this at a media briefing on Tuesday in Abuja, said the deployment of the senior police officers was in line with the commitment of the force to ensuring neutrality and enhancing effective supervision of personnel deployed for the election.

The DIGs, he said, are Frank Mba (Imo), Habu Sani (Kogi), and Daniel Sokari-Pedro (Bayelsa).

Adejobi said the force had deployed adequate personnel and assets ahead of the election, adding that the deployment of the senior officers was targeted at adding a layer of supervision to the security arrangement to guarantee that the elections meet the highest standards of transparency and credibility.

The IGP has also ordered a restriction of vehicular movement on roads, waterways and other forms of transportation from 12:01 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on 11 November in the affected states, Adejobi said.

He said the restriction of movement on election day in the affected states was part of measures put it place to ensure public order management, a safe, secure and conducive environment for the conduct of the election, and assist the security agencies in effective policing.

“On that note, residents and travellers in the neighbouring states should note and plan their movements to avoid any untold hardship during the election period,” he said.

He, noted, however, that those on essential services “such as INEC officials, accredited electoral observers, ambulances responding to medical emergencies, firefighters and others on election duty are exempted from the restriction”.

The police spokesman said the IGP had warned security aides and escorts to desist from accompanying their principals and politicians to polling booths and collation centres during the election as anyone found flouting the directive would be severely sanctioned.

He said only security personnel deployed for election duties were permitted to be within and around the designated election booths and centres.

In a related development, the Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Dauda Ali Biu, on Wednesday ordered operatives of the Corps drafted to cover the elections to ensure effective collaboration with the police, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and other security agencies in the enforcement of restrictions on vehicular movement.

The Corp Marshall also mandated the Corps operatives to clear obstructions from the roads, carry out rescue operations in case of emergencies, and maintain orderliness in polling booths.

The Deputy Corps Marshal, Corps Public Education Officer, FRSC Headquarters Abuja, Bisi Kazeem, said in a statement on Wednesday that the Corps Marshal directed the deployment of 1,500 personnel of the Corps and 35 vehicles, including tow trucks and ambulances, to each of the respective states to strengthen enforcement of restrictions during the entire process of the election. He said this was in a bid to ensure that the FRSC plays effective role in the elections.

The Corps Marshall warned the personnel deployed to play active role in the democratic exercise to exhibit the highest sense of professionalism and ingenuity and avoid any temptation that could lead to abuse of the rights of electorates.

While reading out the marching order to the personnel, the Corps Marshal called on the electorates in the states to comply with all regulations, including restrictions, as would be announced.

He wished the three states peaceful, free and fair elections.