Police Deploy 5,000 officers for LG/LCDA polls

Ogun Police Command on Thursday said more than 5,000 security personnel would be deployed during elections into the 20 local government and 37 local council development areas on Saturday.

The state Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Ilyasu, disclosed this in Abeokuta at a stakeholders’ meeting organised ahead of the Oct. 8 council polls.

Ilyasu warned that the police would ‘’deal decisively’’ with anyone who conducted him or herself in a manner capable of disrupting the election process.

He said the police had identified some flash points in the state and had mapped out effective strategy to ensure adequate security in such areas.

Ilyasu, who described Ogun as one of the most peaceful states in Nigeria, said the command would ensure that the situation remained unchanged.

He urged representatives of political parties present at the meeting to advise their members to shun violence.

“I urge you to speak with your members to conduct themselves in an orderly and peaceful manner.

“You need to study the electoral guidelines released by the state electoral agency closely and play by the rules,” he said.

The commissioner also warned its men to avoid “actions that could soil their hands and tarnish their image”.
At the meeting, the political parties pledged their support for the electoral body to ensure success of the polls.

Alhaji Akinyemi Ogunwole, Secretary of the state Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC), who spoke on behalf of the parties, assured that “all shall be well”.

He, however, urged the state electoral agency and the security agencies to demonstrate transparency and ensure that no political party is favoured over another.