35,000 police officers have been set aside to provide security for the September 21 Edo State governorship election, according to information given by Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun.
IGP Egbetokun disclosed this in Benin, during a meeting with stakeholders in the Edo State governorship election.
He also said that 8,000 military and other sister agencies would be deployed to man the waterways, and the entry and exit parts of the state.
In addition, he declared that the Edo State Security Network (ESSN) would no longer be allowed to provide security for the state’s governorship election on September 21.
He said the task of securing voters and election materials rests squarely on the police who will be supported by other national securities to ensure a credible election.
He warned that no private or state-owned security apparatus would be allowed to operate during and after the election.
“All local securities in Edo State should refrain from participating in the Edo election. Activities of Edo State Security Network which has been suspended remain suspended,” he said.
Egbetokun assured that the police would ensure strict compliance with the Electoral Act and other requisite laws to provide a conducive environment for the peaceful conduct of the election.
According to him, the police will not tolerate any act of hooliganism and violence during the election while anyone caught with weapons during the election would be treated and dealt with as criminal.
