With the Kogi State governorship election looming less than 24 hours away, the Nigerian Police Force has issued a stern warning to individuals or groups contemplating disrupting the electoral process. Deputy Inspector General of Police, DIG Ahmed Habu Sani, responsible for security during the Kogi governorship election, delivered the caution in Lokoja while briefing journalists on the force’s readiness for the upcoming exercise.
“Any person that will want to test our capacity, ability in the smooth conduct of the election will know the various powers that we have,” he declared.
To ensure the integrity of the election, the police force has deployed ample security personnel to oversee the 3508 polling units and 239 wards across the 21 local government areas of the state. DIG Ahmed Habu Sani emphasized that both the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies are well-prepared in terms of manpower and logistics to guarantee a peaceful and successful off-circle election in Kogi State.
The DIG urged the people of Kogi State to contribute to the peaceful conduct of the election by providing useful information that would assist security agencies in carrying out their duties effectively. “I am calling on the good people of Kogi State to be law-abiding and be supportive of security agencies to discharge their mandate for the peaceful, free fair and acceptable elections in this state.”
Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has commenced the distribution of sensitive and non-sensitive materials across the 21 Local Government Areas of the state under tight security. At the INEC headquarters in Lokoja, a heavy police presence, including the Counter-Terrorism Unit, sniffer dogs, and an Armoured Personnel Carrier, was observed, indicating heightened security measures ahead of the crucial election.
