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As the November 6 Anambra State governorship election draws near, the Inspector-General of Police(IGP), Usman Baba, has deployed 98 senior officers to the state.
Recent violent attacks and the sit-at-home order by the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) have put the conduct of the election in doubt.
Also, the separatist group had over the weekend announced that the entire South East will be on lockdown from November 5 if its leader, Nnamdi Kanu, who is currently in the custody of the Department of State Service (DSS) is not released unconditionally.
But the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Monday said the election will proceed as scheduled.
In a statement on Tuesday, the IGP ordered a “major overhauling” of the security architecture in the state.
The statement signed by Force spokesperson, CP Frank Mba, said Baba also directed that Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Joseph Egbunike, should be deployed as the state coordinator of the security component of the election.
“DIG Egbunike is saddled with the responsibility of overseeing the implementation of the operation order evolved from the election security threat assessment, to ensure a peaceful environment devoid of violence and conducive enough to guarantee that law abiding citizens freely perform their civic responsibilities without molestation or intimidation.
“DIG Egbunike will be assisted by the DIG in charge of operations, acting DIG Zaki Ahmed. Other strategic commanders deployed to Anambra State include five (5) Assistant Inspectors-General of Police (AIGs), fourteen (14) Commissioners of Police (CPs), thirty-one (31) Deputy Commissioners of Police (DCPs) and forty-eight (48) Assistant Commissioners of Police (ACPs).
“The senior officers are to coordinate human and other operational deployments in the three (3) senatorial districts, twenty-one (21) local government areas and the 5720 polling units in Anambra State.
“The IGP reassures the nation that the force is adequately prepared for the gubernatorial election in Anambra State come November 6th, 2021,” th statement said.