The Commissioner of Police in Anambra, Ikioye Orutugu, has ordered coordinated security raids on identified flashpoints across the state ahead of its November 8 governorship election.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, made this known in a statement released on Tuesday in Awka.
It will be recalled that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had on Monday declared Anambra State fully prepared for the governorship election. The announcement followed a weeklong readiness assessment tour conducted by a high-level delegation from the commission’s headquarters in Abuja.
The delegation, led by National Commissioner for Election Planning and Monitoring, Rhoda Gumus, completed an extensive review of facilities, logistics, and security arrangements across the state.
Orutugu stated that the measure is aimed at nipping any emerging threats of political thuggery, cult-related violence, and illegal possession of firearms in the bud, with the overall goal of ensuring a secure and peaceful electoral environment.
While noting that credible intelligence reports indicated that certain individuals and groups, acting on behalf of political interests, might be mobilizing youths for violent activities before and during the election period, the CP urged Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers and Tactical Commanders to intensify intelligence-driven operations and coordinated security raids across identified flashpoints in their respective areas of jurisdiction in the state.
Orutugu emphasised that the command would not tolerate any attempt to disrupt public peace, intimidate voters, or undermine lawful electoral processes and reiterated that the Nigeria Police Force remained neutral and non-partisan in the electoral process.
He said the duty of the police is to protect the lives and property of the people, safeguard the integrity of the electoral space, and enforce the law without fear, favour or political influence.
