The acting Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, has assured of the commitment of the Nigeria Police to provide adequate security before, during, and after the November 11, 2023 governorship elections in Bayelsa, Kogi, Imo states.
The police boss gave the assurance during the monthly meeting with senior police officers and strategic police managers, Commissioners of Police (CPs) and above, on Thursday at the Force Headquarters, Abuja.
While reiterating his administration’s commitment to upholding the principles of democracy and ensuring peaceful, free, and fair elections, IGP urged all stakeholders to work together and support Police efforts to maintain the peace and secure these states before, during, and after the election periods.
“Just as we have seen in other isolated elections, we have availability of more men than what we had during the general elections. I have no fear about how safe and secure the elections, which is going to take place in November 11, 2023, will be.
“Its very convenient for us to deploy. Nobody should entertain fear about the security of the November elections. We have prepared. We are ready and very soon, we will start deployment. “We deliberately decided to take this year’s Police Conference and Retreat to one of the states where we are having the election. The conference and retreat is coming just less than two weeks to the elections. So, it is deliberate and not by accident that we chose and date. It is also to show to the public that we are ready for the election. So, there is no fear for the coming election,” Egbetokun assured.
Similarly, the police boss also tasked CPs, and other tactical commanders on increased deployment for ’ember’ months which are usually characterised by increased activities and heightened security concerns.
Meanwhile, the police boss used the opportunity of the meeting to decorate newly appointed Depity Inspector General of Police, DIG Bello Makwashi.