With Ekiti State set for a crucial governorship election on Saturday, the Nigeria Police Force has launched a sweeping security operation, deploying personnel and tactical resources to all 2,545 polling units across the state to ensure a safe, peaceful, and credible voting process.
The extensive deployment is part of a broader election security strategy designed to protect voters, electoral officials, observers, and sensitive materials throughout the exercise. Security operatives have also been positioned at strategic locations, including public infrastructure, border communities, and major access routes, to prevent any breach of peace.
Commissioner of Police overseeing Election Security, CP Shogule Abayomi, said the Force has put in place a robust, multi-layered security architecture aimed at maintaining law and order before, during, and after the polls.
According to him, officers and operational assets have been strategically stationed across critical areas of the state to support a smooth electoral process and provide swift responses to any emerging threats.
Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, reassured residents and stakeholders of the Force’s commitment to professionalism and neutrality, noting that all officers assigned to election duties had received comprehensive briefings on their responsibilities and rules of engagement.
He emphasized that personnel would operate strictly within the confines of the law while ensuring that every eligible voter can exercise their democratic right without fear or intimidation.
The police also issued a stern warning to political actors, supporters, and members of the public against electoral misconduct, including voter intimidation, violence, vote-buying, and other offences capable of undermining the integrity of the election. The Force stressed that anyone found violating electoral laws would be prosecuted accordingly.
To strengthen emergency response efforts, a dedicated election hotline has been activated to enable citizens to report suspicious activities and security concerns in real time. Residents were further urged to remain peaceful, verify information before sharing it, and avoid actions that could trigger unrest.
The Ekiti governorship contest will see candidates from 13 political parties battle for the state’s top office, as voters head to the polls to choose the leader who will steer the state’s affairs over the next four years.
