Guber Poll: Security Agencies Quarantine Anambra For Peaceful Conduct

BY AMOS DUNIA, ABUJA – Effective inter-agency security collaboration as spearheaded by the General Officer Commanding 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, Major General AB Abubakar, led to the peaceful conduct of Saturday’s governorship election in Anambra State.

The election, which has been described as one of the most secured, peaceful, free and fair election in the history of the state, held in spite of  threats by some groups, particularly the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to disrupt the electoral process.

Forefront News gathered that the security arrangements put in place ensured that some troublemakers that included political thugs and some members of the outlawed IPOB desirous of causing crises were picked up and detained.

It was also gathered that one of the proactive security measures put in place was the strict blockage of borders of Anambra with Abia, Delta, Enugu and Imo States in checkmating movements of unauthorised individuals and groups into the state during the election.

A security source said that Anambra State was effectively quarantined to ensure the success of the election, stressing that the action was not to inflict injury on anybody but to protect the cherished democracy of the country.

According to the source; “The synergy and collaboration between and among major security agencies of neighbouring States of Abia, Delta, Enugu and Imo favourably affected the contour of the security situation in and around Anambra State especially in Asaba, Onitsha, Awka, Nnewi, Idemili and Ihiala.”

It was also gathered that the engagement of Non-Governmental Organizations and Civil Society Groups in voter education and peaceful advocacy contributed to the massive turn-out of voters.

This was just as the election was adjudged by election observers as peaceful, orderly, free and fair and credible, adding that instructively, the import and lesson of the healthy development, is the gradual political consciousness and development of the affected people.

Another source said; “Most importantly, is the level of security arrangement and extensive synergy and collaboration between and among security agencies.