The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has announced that 35,000 police officers will be deployed to ensure a secure and peaceful environment for the Edo governorship election on September 21. This force will be supported by 8,000 personnel from sister agencies.
Egbetokun made this statement in Benin at the Independent National Electoral Commission’s stakeholders meeting ahead of the election. He emphasized that the Edo State Security Network, which has been banned, will not participate in the election.
The police will provide comprehensive security coverage, including the waterways, entry, and exit points of the state. Egbetokun urged voters, party agents, and other stakeholders to conduct themselves peacefully to ensure a successful poll.
He reiterated that the police are solely responsible for securing voters and election materials, with the support of other national security agencies, to guarantee a credible election. Egbetokun warned that anyone found with arms at the election venue would be arrested, and stressed that the police would ensure strict compliance with the Electoral Act and other laws to provide a conducive environment for the election.
