- Threat assessments have identified flashpoints across LGAs and LCDAs receiving increased security attention ahead of the polls.
- CP Jimoh warned that non-state security groups would not be allowed to operate during the election.
The inspector general of police, Kayode Egbetokun, has approved the deployment of additional officers from neighbouring states ahead of the July 12 local government elections in Lagos State.
The deployment, which also includes anti-riot gear and critical logistics, aims to ensure a peaceful and orderly election.
Marine Police units will also patrol waterways in both urban and rural riverine areas during the polls.
The commissioner of police, Lagos State Command, CP Olohundare Jimoh, disclosed this on Tuesday during a press briefing at the Command Headquarters in Ikeja.
He said the deployment was in collaboration with the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission, LASIEC.
“We are not leaving anything to chance. That is why we are bringing in police officers from other states to ensure we have the required number of personnel as stipulated by the INEC guidelines for election deployment,” CP Jimoh said.
He added that threat assessments had been completed across all 20 local government areas and 37 local council development areas.
According to him, security attention is being heightened in identified flashpoints.
He stated that movement restrictions may be enforced on election day, depending on consultations with LASIEC.
CP Jimoh said details of any restrictions would be communicated to residents in due course.
He warned that only security agencies recognised by the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security, ICCES, would be allowed to operate during the exercise.
“Any agency that is not a federal government security agency involved in national elections will not be permitted to participate in securing this election. Any quasi-local security organization should not come out on election day. If they have concerns, they should report them to us,” he warned.
The CP said police presence would remain across the state after voting ends to prevent post-election violence or unrest.
He urged residents to vote in large numbers without fear of violence or intimidation.
He assured Lagosians of the police’s full readiness to protect lives and property before, during, and after the election.
Discussion about this post