The Nigeria Police Force has announced that Deputy Inspector General of Police, Benjamin Okolo, has officially assumed duty as the supervisory officer overseeing all police personnel deployed for the Anambra State governorship election scheduled for November 8, 2025.
DIG Okolo, alongside the Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of Operations, Yakubu Kwazhi, represented the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, during the signing of the peace accord by political parties and other stakeholders in the state.
According to a statement issued on Thursday by the spokesman for the Anambra State Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, the DIG will coordinate field deployments, oversee operational frameworks, and ensure full adherence to the police’s rules of engagement throughout the election process.
The statement read in part, “This deployment forms part of the strategic security measures approved by the Inspector General of Police to ensure a peaceful, credible, and professionally managed election environment across Anambra State.”
It further stated that the Nigeria Police Force remains “committed to safeguarding the electoral process, protecting citizens’ rights, and ensuring all political actors conduct themselves within the confines of the law.”
Okay News reports that the force has intensified its security preparations to maintain law and order before, during, and after the election. Voters were urged to remain law-abiding and cooperate fully with security operatives on election duty.
Those assisting DIG Okolo in the coordination include AIG Akoh Gabriel, Commissioner of Police for the Anambra Election, CP Abayomi Shogunle, other Commissioners deployed to the 21 local government areas, and other senior strategic officers.
Commissioner Shogunle disclosed that the number of security personnel deployed for the election had been increased from 45,000 to 55,000, covering all parts of the state.
He explained, “The increase in security personnel is not to intimidate eligible voters but to ensure effective operations and safety at every polling unit. We want to guarantee voter confidence and ensure a secure environment for all participants.”
According to him, the personnel include officers from the Nigeria Police Force, Immigration Service, NDLEA, DSS, and other security agencies, with at least three officers assigned to each polling unit.
He assured, “The election will be free, fair, transparent, and devoid of intimidation. Our collective aim is to ensure the safety of voters, INEC officials, and all stakeholders involved.”
As part of preparations, Shogunle said sensitive materials, including BIVAS machines and election result forms (EC8A and EC8B), were being distributed at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) office in Awka for Saturday’s exercise.
