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The Inspector General of Police(IGP), Mohammed Adamu has approved the deployment of 35,000 policemen for the November 16 governorship election in Kogi State.
Assistant Commissioner of Police(ACP) in-charge of Operations, Kogi State Command, Ayilara Oluwakayode, disclosed this on Wednesday in Lokoja during a stakeholder’s meeting organised by a non-governmental organization(NGO), Search for Common Ground.
He said all measures have been put in place to ensure a free, fair and credible election in the state, adding that everyone resident in the state must make a choice of ensuring violent free election.
Allaying the fear of militarisation of the election, he said the presence of soldiers at polling units is not envisaged during the exercise.
“This election is a special one, being that it will hold in two states (Kogi and Bayelsa) and the IG has graciously deployed 35,000 police officers for the Kogi election.
“I can assure you that the police is ready for the exercise. The election is not going to be militarised, I can asure you. Soldiers will only be at border points, and can only come in when they are invited,” Ayilara said.
The ACP, however, expressed worry over pockets of violence that have been recorded in the state, especially in Kogi East senatorial district.
“In the last couple of days, reports of culpable homicide have been reported in Dekina. Just yesterday, two thugs were fighting each other and one shot the other, houses were burnt.
“On our part, the police will continue to do its work because that is what we are employed for but it is important to note that we are all stakeholders in this project,” he said.
He revealed that four policemen would be posted to each of the polling units in the state on election day, adding that four personnel from other security agencies will also be at all the polling units.