By Tochukwu Ifejika, Awka
Nigeria’s Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has deployed CP Abayomi Shogunle to Anambra to head the State’s police Command in the forthcoming Governorship Election.
According to the command’s PPRO, SP Ikenga Tochukwu, “CP Shogunle’s posting is in line with the policing operational strategy approved by the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, PhD, NPM, which is aimed at enhancing strategic security planning towards ensuring a peaceful, credible, and transparent electoral process in the State.”
Upon assumption of duty on the 4th of November 2025, CP Shogunle activated the IGP’s Enforcement Protocol for anti-electoral offences to ensure a zero tolerance for ballot snatching, vote-buying, political thuggery, and voter intimidation.
The Commissioner of Police has also stepped up the Electoral Offences Desk to monitor social media and online spaces towards identifying cyber-related crimes for prompt investigation and prosecution.
CP Shogunle also put in place a central command framework to ensure real-time intelligence sharing, coordination, and rapid response with a joint deployment of over 60,000 security personnel of agencies within the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES).
The committee will secure the 5,720 polling units with tactical reserves along inter-LGA and State boundaries, and also designated election collation centers.
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The Commissioner of Police reiterated the total ban on all vigilante groups, such as Agunechemba and all other quasi-security groups in the State as only the Federal Government security agencies are authorized to provide election security duties as provided by the laws of the federation.
Furthermore, VIP movements with armed escorts or security aides at polling or collation centres are strictly prohibited, as violators will face immediate apprehension, withdrawal of such escorts, and prosecution.
Only designated INEC officials, accredited observers, and journalists are allowed to move freely between designated areas.
The CP further called on political actors, community leaders, and the electorate to support the police and other security agencies in maintaining peace before, during, and after the election.
The Commissioner of Police can be reached on 0809-600-0079