By Suleiman Anyalewechi
The Anambra State Police Command has announced the ban of all vigilante groups, quasi-security outfits and all other non-state actors from participating in Saturday’s bye-elections in the state.
The Source reports that the blanket ban on all security outfits outside the conventional security agencies ,is coming on the heels of the alarm raised by the, Labour Party, LP Anambra State National Assembly caucus, alleging plans to intimidate voters and manipulate the exercise.
In a statement on Friday, August 15, the two Senators and six House of Representatives members from the State pointedly accused Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo and his All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, of planning to deploy the services of the state-controlled security outfits to intimidate and harass the opposition, during the by-elections.
The caucus alleged that credible intelligence at its disposal suggests that Governor Soludo and APGA have concluded plans to use personnel of “Operation Udo Gachi ,the State’s Crude Revenue Enforcers” Ndi Aka Odu”, and other non-state actors to manipulate the exercise.
They, therefore, appealed to the National Heads of all security agencies in the country, particularly, the Police to create a conducive atmosphere for voters to exercise their civic obligations without any fear of intimidation and molestation.
Addressing Heads of Police formations in Anambra State on Friday shortly after arriving the State , Godwin Eze, an Assistant Inspector General of Police, AIG, stated that only personnel of Nigeria Security Agencies will be allowed to provide security before, during and after the by-elections.
A statement from SP Tochukwu Ikenga ,the spokesperson for the Anambra State Police Command, informed that AIG Eze who was drafted to the State to supervise security during the election, also, ordered the restriction of vehicular movements in the affected areas from 6.00am to 6.00 pm on the election day.
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, is billed to conduct by-elections in Onitsha North I State Constituency and Anambra South Senatorial District on Saturday August 16, 2025, to fill vacancies created by the death of their previous occupants – Hon Justice Azuka and Senator Ifeanyi Uba, respectively.
According to the police statement ,AIG Eze who assumed duty on Friday ,has taken full control of the security situation in the state ahead of the polls.
” All vigilante operatives ,hunters and other quasi-security groups are strictly prohibited from any form of engagement during the election .
” Furthermore, to ensure a safe ,and hitch-free election ,there shall be restrictions on vehicular movement from 6:am to 6 pm ,in the affected areas ” the police stated.
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