Bayelsa Polls: Police to Deploy 9,000 Personnels for Security

The Police Command in Bayelsa has said it would deploy 9, 000 officers and men on various duties during the Dec. 5 governorship election in the state.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Nasiru Oki, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Yenagoa.

Oki assured that the command would provide adequate security that would ensure peaceful conduct of the election.

“The strategy is already on the ground; we have done our operational orders as regards who should do what, when to do what; we will be working in collaboration with INEC and other security agencies,” he said.

He stressed the need for the people, especially politicians, to be law-abiding, and advised politicians and the electorate to avoid anything that could cause violence during, before and after the election.

“We are expecting so many officers to boost security on that day; we are planning to deploy between 9, 000 and 10, 000 men but this will be decided by the Force Headquarters in Abuja.

“Our men will be spread over the eight local government areas of Bayelsa, because we are going to have adequate personnel and logistics to ensure a hitch-free election. Firstly, movement will be restricted on that day.

“We have told the party followers to avoid being used by the politicians to cause trouble; we have advised them to remain ambassadors of peace even as they prepare for the forthcoming governorship election.

“The Politicians should not get near the polling unit with their armed personal security details; all we want from them is to cast their vote and return to their houses.

“After the election, they should take the result in good faith, exhibit spirit of sportsmanship, because election is not a do or die affair,” Oki said.

[Source: NAN]

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