17th June, 2014
The Inspector-General of Police IGP Mohammed Abubakar has ordered immediate deployment of hi-tech security equipment, including surveillance helicopters, armoured personnel carriers, patrol vans and other law enforcement gadgets to Ekiti State for the State’s gubernatorial election scheduled for next Saturday.
Frank Mba, spokesperson for the Nigeria Police who revealed this in a statement said the deployment comes as a reinforcement of other security measures already put in place by the Police, especially the deployment to strategic locations of the personnel of the Police Mobile Force (PMF), Counter-Terrorism Unit (CTU), the Bomb Disposal Unit, Mounted Troops and the Police Air-wing designed to effectively boost the integrity of the electoral process and ensuring an atmosphere of peace, orderliness, safety and security of persons, votes and all sensitive election materials during the June 21, 2014 governorship election in Ekiti State.
“While reassuring Nigerian citizens, especially Ekiti State indigenes of the readiness of the Police Force and other security agencies to do their utmost best towards ensuring a hitch-free election, the IGP reiterated his earlier call on the citizens especially the gubernatorial candidates, party chieftains, opinion moulders and other relevant stakeholders for their cooperation throughout the period of the electioneering process.”
“Warning that troublemakers and persons not directly connected with the smooth conduct of the election should stay out of the electoral process as the tough security arrangements in place will leave no room for any untoward behaviour.
“The IGP further charged the police personnel on election duty in the state to conduct themselves in line with the principles of democratic conduct while ensuring that the state remains calm throughout the election period and beyond,” Mba concluded.