25,000 policemen, helicopters, 10 APCs, 550 patrol vehicles for Edo election

The Acting Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris has approved the deployment of 25,000 personnel to the state.

The deployment comprises the mobile force, the counter-terrorism units, the anti-bomb squad and the marine police.

Also included are conventional policemen, the armament units, the criminal intelligence and investigations unit, the force intelligence bureau and the sniffer dog section.

In a statement, the Force Public Relations Officer, Don N. Awunah, said that the police aerial surveillance helicopters and gunboats, 10 additional armoured personnel carriers and 550 patrol vehicles would also be used.

The equipment would cover all the polling units, collation centres, and riverine difficult terrains.

A deputy inspector general of police, who would be assisted by an assistant inspector general of police and three commissioners of police would lead the operation.

They are expected to coordinate the security operations, supervise the deployment of personnel and facilitate the electoral process throughout the state.

Awunah explained that these measures are to ensure that the election is conducted in accordance with the electoral law and in an atmosphere of peace and security,

He added that the IGP would convene a peace accord of all the political parties, candidates, the INEC officials, election observers and other stakeholders before the polls.

The meeting, which would hold in Benin City, would focus on the need to adhere to the rules of the election.

The Force PPRO urged the personnel and other complementing agencies to be professional and civil, but firm in the discharge of their statutory duties.