The Anambra State Police Command has announced the resumption of Abayomi Shogunle, (CP) as the Commissioner of Police to take charge of policing in the State for the forthcoming Anambra State Governorship Election scheduled for Saturday.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) for Anambra Command, Tochukwu Ikenga(SP) who revealed the development said CP Shogunle’s posting is in line with the policing operational strategy approved by the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun.
He said that the posting is aimed at enhancing strategic security planning towards ensuring a peaceful, credible, and transparent electoral process in the State.
“Upon assumption of duty, CP Shogunle activated the IGP’s Enforcement Protocol for anti-electoral offences to ensure a zero tolerance for ballot snatching, vote-buying, political thuggery, and voter intimidation.
“The CP has also stepped up the Electoral Offences Desk to monitor social media and online spaces towards identifying cyber-related crimes for prompt investigation and prosecution.
“The CP has also emplace a central command framework to ensure real-time intelligence sharing, coordination, and rapid response with a joint deployment of over 60,000 security personnel of agencies within the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES).
Meanwhile, CP Shogunle has reiterated the total ban on all vigilante groups such as Agunechemba and all other quasi-security groups in the State as only the Federal Government security agencies are authorized to provide election security duties as provided by the laws of the federation.
He also reiterated that VIP movements with armed escorts or security aides at polling or collation centres are strictly prohibited, as violators will face immediate apprehension, withdrawal of such escorts, and prosecution.
CP Shogunle said it’s only designated INEC officials, accredited observers, and journalists are allowed to move freely between designated areas.
He charged political actors, community leaders, and the electorate to support the police and other security agencies in maintaining peace before, during, and after the election.
