Edo: Tight Security As IGP Deploys DIG, AIG, 8 CPs For Guber Poll

…Bars security aides from accompanying VIPs and political appointees on Election Day

BY VICTOR BUORO, ABUJA – As part of measures aimed at ensuring apt coordination of security arrangements towards a hitch-free election in the scheduled September 20, 2020 gubernatorial election in Edo State, the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Mohammed Adamu, has deployed DIG Adeleye Olusola Oyabade, Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of Research and Planning to supervise the general security arrangement for the election in the State.

DIG Oyabade will be assisted by an Assistant Inspector General of police (AIG) Karma Hosea Hassan, who is the Assistant Inspector General in charge of Federal Operations at the Force Headquarters Abuja and eight Commissioners of Police.

A statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Frank Mba, said that the DIG, with the assistance of the AIG, will superintend over the entire security architecture and ensure effective monitoring of the election and due enforcement of all electoral laws in the State.

DCP Mba said that other senior Police Officers similarly involved in the election monitoring and evaluation include; CPs Garba Baba Umar, Habu Sani, Buba Sanusi and Akeera M. Yonous, who will coordinate the operations of the Police Mobile Force (PMF) and other special strike forces.

The other four CPs expected to supervise security arrangement in the three senatorial districts of the State according to the IGP include; CPs Omololu .S. Bishi and Abutu Yaro for Edo North senatorial district, CP Philip Aliyu Ogbadu for Edo Central Senatorial District and CP Olokade T. Olawale, who will take charge of Edo South Senatorial District.

To ensure strict enforcement, IGP Adamu has equally barred security aides attached to VIPs and Political appointees from accompanying their principals on the Election Day.

The IGP warns that anyone who flouts this order will be severely reprimanded just as he charged officers and men on election duties in the State to ensure they work in line with standard best practices and adhere strictly with the approved Code of Conduct and Rules of Engagement for the elections.

The police boss also called on members of the public particularly politicians, gubernatorial candidates and other relevant stakeholders in the State to cooperate with the Police and other security agencies in the patriotic task of guaranteeing a hitch-free gubernatorial poll.