IGP Says 400,000 Security Agents Set For Election Duties

By Ayodele Oni

As preparations are in top gear for the General Elections next week, the Inspector General of Police,(IGP) Usman Alkali Baba disclosed on Thursday that over 400,000 security personnel are set to be deployed to states.

According to him this is part of measures being taken to ensure hitch free polls on February 25th and March 11, 2023.

The security personnel jointly, comprise the Police force, the Department of State Services, Army, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Correctional Officers, National Drug Law Enforcement Agencies (NDLEA) among others.

Out of the entire security personnel to be deployed, the police force is producing about 310,973 officers.

Baba said the various arms of security personnel have come up with their unique identifications system to ensure they are not infiltrated by unscrupulous persons.

The IGP spoke in Abuja while highlighting some of the plans being put in place by the Police Force, as contributions  to ensure hitch free polls Nationwide.

He noted that the police would not be allowed to offer escort services to VIPs during the election days, warning those planning to foment trouble to be weary.

President Muhammadu Buhari had recently given the Police authorities a clear warning that the eye of the nation is upon them to ensure that the elections goes hitch free.

The President had early in the week commissioned some security vehicles to be used for the election by security agencies.

The Police boss explained that it has not been able to prosecute electoral offenders, because the new electoral act only mandates the police to investigate such cases, adding that only the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is saddled with the responsibility.