To ensure a peaceful, hitch-free and credible election in the state, the Anambra State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Echeng Echeng, has put in place measures to enhance already activated security strategies.

 

 

 

This followed the Inspector-General of Police, IGP, Usman Alkali Baba’s order, and security plan conceived and being implemented under the umbrella of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security, and based on security threat analysis and risk assessment conducted and being constantly updated.

 

 

 

The measures include total restriction of all forms of vehicular movement on roads, waterways and other forms of transportation between midnight of Friday, twenty-fourth to six o’clock in the evening on Saturday, twenty-fifth February 2023, except for those on essential services such as INEC officials, election observers, medical personnel, ambulances responding to medical emergencies, firefighters, among others.

 

 

 

In a statement signed by the Anambra State Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, the command also directed that security aides and escorts are not allowed to accompany their principals and politicians to polling booths and collations centres during the election, warning that anyone found flouting the directive will be severely sanctioned.

 

 

 

The statement emphasized that only security personnel specifically assigned to election duties are to be seen within and around the designated election booths and centres, adding that vigilante groups, private security guards and other quasi-security outfits are excluded from participating in the security of the elections.

 

 

 

It emphasized that the ban on the unauthorized use of sirens, revolving lights, covered number plates and tinted glasses is still in force, and that violators would be sanctioned appropriately.

 

 

 

The state police command appeals for the continued support and cooperation of members of the public to enable the state to have a serene electoral process.

 

In the event of any request for security service, the command advised members of the public to call Command Control Room Numbers 0-7-0-3-9-1-9-4-3-3-2 or the PPRO on 0-8-0-3-9-3-3-4-0-0-2.