The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has beefed up security in Edo State to forestall any breakdown of law and order, following the announcement of the winner in the just concluded governorship election.
This development was contained in a statement issued late on Sunday by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi.
TheFact Daily had reported that the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Monday Okpebholo, has just been announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the winner of the off-cycle election in Edo State.
He polled 291,667 votes to defeat his closest rivals Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who polled 247,274, and Olumide Akpata of the Labour Party (LP), who polled 22,761 votes, respectively.
Following the pockets of violence earlier reported in the state, the Force disclosed that the Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG), in-charge of the Elections, DIG Frank Mba, has activated the post-election security strategy of the Force.
This, it said, includes, but not limited to, Show of Force Exercise, designed to boost the confidence of citizens and to reassure of the readiness of the Force to respond appropriately to any possible threat to public safety and security in the state.
The statement said, in line with the post-election security strategy, the DIG has ordered enhanced deployment in and around INEC facilities, key stakeholders involved in the election, and other critical infrastructure within the state.
The Force, therefore, called on the citizens to remain peaceful and law abiding while going about their endeavours.
It, however, warned against any conduct by any individual or group capable of disrupting the existing peace in the state, noting that the Force and the security forces are more prepared than ever before to ensure continuous peace in the state.
