2023: Abia State Police Command assures Electorates of safety

The Nigerian Police Force says there is no security threat in any part of Abia State and urged the residents to come out en mass and vote for the candidates of their choice in the general election.

The State Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Geoffrey Ogbonna gave the assurance on Friday while speaking to Voice of Nigeria on the level of preparedness of the Police Force for Saturday’s polls.

Ogbonna said; “the Force is fully prepared for the exercise and has deployed policemen and other security agencies to all the polling units in the 17 local government areas of the state.’’

“In the 3 Senatorial zones in the state, we have two Commissioners of Police and Deputy Commissioners of police that have also been deployed to supervise and monitor the police conducts during the exercise. The Nigerian Army personnel are also fully deployed to the state to assist the police in ensuring peaceful and conducive environment during and after the election period.’’

“Last week, we had what we called a Joint show of force made up of all the security agencies in the state. This was led by the Commissioner of Police and the Brigade Command 14 Army Brigade Ohofia. We touched the nook and cranny of Umuahia and all parts of the state. The Commissioner of Police has however briefed all our men and officers of our force adequately for the polls in all the three Senatorial zones in the State,” he said.

Training
SP Ogbonna said the Police Force had a series of training to keep the officers abreast of their duties and responsibilities during and after the election period.

“During the training, we provided the officers with handbooks on election security. There was also a handbook on Revised Operational Standard Guidelines and Rules for Police officers and other law enforcement agencies ahead of the election… So all the Police officers have been acquainted with the contents of these relevant books so that no one will say he or she was not informed. Therefore, it is the primary responsibility of the police to protect lives and property which is what all should expect on Saturday,’’ the Police Spokesman explained.

He however encouraged the electorate in Abia State to come out and take part in the exercise without any fear of molestation or otherwise, adding that the security agencies are poised to ensure there is free, fair and credible election in a conducive environment.

N.O