IGP bans Edo Govt security outfit from guber poll

Ahead of September 21, 2024 governorship election in Edo State, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, has banned the state-owned security outfit, Edo State Security Network, ESSN, from participating in the exercise.

Newspot also reports that the IGP announced that over 43,000 security personnel, comprising the Police, Military and other security agencies, would be deployed to the state for the election.

Egbetokun made the disclosure during the INEC stakeholders meeting on the Edo State governorship election in Benin City on Wednesday.

According to him, the task of securing voters and electoral materials rests squarely on the Police, who will be supported by other security agencies to ensure a credible election.

“No private or state-owned security apparatus would be allowed to operate during and after the election.

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“All quasi-security operatives in Edo State should refrain from participating in Edo election. Activities of Edo State Security Network which has been suspended remain suspended,” he said.

He added that 35,000 Police officers have been deployed for the election while 8,000 security agents drawn from other national agencies will support the Police.

The IGP assured that the Police would ensure strict compliance to the Electoral Act and other requisite laws to provide a conducive environment for peaceful conduct of the election.

He equally warned that the Police would not tolerate any act of hooliganism and violence during the election, stressing that any one caught with weapons during the polls would be treated and dealt with as a criminal.

Egbetokun also assured that the entry and exit points of the state would be secured with the military support.

“The Nigerian Police in addition would deploy adequate operational assets as necessary for this election,” he added.

On his part, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, said the Commission would maintain high sense of professionalism in the conduct of the election.

Yakubu said that the Commission is ready for the conduct of the poll, stressing that modalities have been put in place for the transportation of election materials for both land and marine locations.