Residents of Oyo State will witness a more secure and safe environment during the gubernatorial and House of Assembly elections on 18th March as a result of the complete overhaul of the security structure in the state.
The heads of security agencies and paramilitary organisations made this known in a communique issued at the end of a strategic security meeting ahead of the elections in Ibadan, the state capital.
The agencies said the new measures would ensure assured adequate protection of lives and property and the overall success of the elections.
The communique reveals that some of the new measures would include “Joint visibility patrols and raids of black spots”, coordinated intelligence”surveillance and “close monitoring of habitual criminals”.
Also included in the new security schedule is the involvement of cyber-forensic experts to handle cyber-related offences, especially the circulation of fake and unverified news spread to heat up the polity, as violators would be sanctioned by the provisions of sec 24(1)(b) of the Cybercrime, Prohibition, Prevention Act of 2015.
Furthermore, in the interest of public order and ensuring a safe and conducive environment for the electorate, the security agencies said the ban on VIP escorts accompanying their principals to polling units, the use of sirens and revolving lights by unauthorised persons, as well as the use of tinted glasses and covered number plates during the election period remain in force.
PIAK
