Police get N64bn For Elections, Deploy APCs, Others

This is because the Armed Forces Headquarters has sent anti-riot weapons, water cannons and armored personnel carriers, among other things, to the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory to ensure watertight security during the elections.

Police sources confirmed to our correspondent that all commandos and formations across the country had received their share of the arms and ammunition revealed by the Inspector General of Police, Usman Baba, in Abuja last week.

However, the sources noted that the total number received by each command and formation could not be disclosed for security reasons.

One of the sources said: “Headquarters has deployed all anti-riot weapons, water cannons, APCs and other weapons and ammunition in all 37 commandos and police formations in preparation for the elections.”

Another source said: “We have the weapons and ammunition, including water cannons, APCs and anti-riot weapons, and we are fully prepared for election security management. But for security reasons, we cannot state the total number we received.”

Sunday PUNCH reports that N2.98tn was provided for the police, military, intelligence and paramilitary services as recurring and capital expenditures for defense and security in the approved 2023 budget to address insecurity, representing 13.4 percent of the total N21. 83tn budget.

The N64bn pre-election police operations fund was included in the budget of N21,83tn approved by the National Assembly on Tuesday, January 3, 2023 and signed into law by the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.).

Meanwhile, Force Headquarters has confirmed the deployment of the equipment and ensured security before, during and after the election.

It also noted that it had continued to deploy sufficient personnel to ensure security during political activities as political parties demand increased police presence at campaign sites.

The Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said: “There is no cause for alarm as we have shared a large number of equipment, especially anti-riot equipment such as APCs, water cannons, tear smoke, pepper spray and some non-lethal weapons. But we don’t want to be specific about the actual number deployed because we don’t want to reveal our strength to the enemies, but each command has its share and we are sure they will be of great help.

“The distribution is still going on; in fact we have just completed the sharing of uniforms and equipment with all commandos dealing with branches of FHQ, Abuja and Lagos annex. So our staff is ready to go and we still plan to share more as we expect deliveries of additional resources before the general election.

Security experts respond

Security experts have said the deployment of riot weapons, water cannons, APCs and other weapons and ammunition to the 37 state police commandos and formations in preparation for the election was evidence that the police were in charge of electoral security management in the country. .

A security expert, Chidi Omeje, said: “This is good news for Nigeria and Nigerians. Nigeria is a democracy, and constitutionally the police are supposed to be the de facto security agency responsible for internal security and electoral security management.

“This recent deployment of arms and ammunition and the N64bn envisaged in the 2023 police budget for electoral security management is an indication that we are on the right track as a country, and if the police remain true to course and if the N64bn is enough for the police, then we will achieve peaceful, safe, free, fair and credible elections this year.”

Another security expert, Emmanuel Ojukwu, said: “The commitment and budget is a good development and is welcomed as it will boost the morale of police officers and men. This enables the police to be the primary agency for election security, properly manage election security and prevent crimes and arrest troublemakers.

“This will help the police ensure the safety of lives and property and protect the electorate and our democracy. It is a plus for the government, the police and the citizens, and it shows that the government wants peaceful elections,” he said.

‘We provide peace’

Meanwhile, the police high command has stated that it will provide additional security to the political parties, which only have to make requests.

Adejobi said: “We have deployed personnel to various political activities so far and we will continue to do so. Other security services have also deployed sufficient personnel to increase our power.

“The number of personnel we have deployed is enough for a normal and peaceful demonstration or campaign, except when the political parties claim or try to send a message that gatherings will not be peaceful, and they have to respond to that.

“We do not impose conditions on political parties before deploying personnel. All we want them to do is inform the police in various places about their planned rallies or campaigns, and make sure they are peaceful.

“We expect them to abide by the law and respect the peace agreement already signed at all levels. Everyone in Nigeria is equal before the law and has rights as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. So we preach peace, we want peace, and we will enforce the law to have peace where necessary.”

The Lagos State Police Command urged residents and voters to abide by the law, adding that the police were prepared and the state was safe for the election to proceed.

The command’s public relations officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, said: “The state is secure and we are prepared for the conduct of the elections. However, we urge residents and voters to remain peaceful and abide by the law.”

Similarly, the Osun State Police Command said it had taken steps to ensure security during elections, adding that attacks on the offices of the Independent National Election Commission would not be repeated.

In an interview with our correspondent, the PPRO, Yemisi Opalola said: “We have taken steps to ensure that attacks against INEC offices do not recur in the state.

“As for the upcoming election, we assure the good people of Osun State that the state is safe and measures have been taken to ensure the safety of life and property.”

The Ogun State Police Command said it had not yet arrested any suspects in connection with the attacks on INEC offices in the state last year.

It also assured residents of their safety before, during and after the general elections.

The PPRO, Abimbola Oyeyemi, said: ‘We have yet to make arrests, but we are still working. We do, however, assure the residents of their safety before, during and after the elections.”

The Imo State Police Command revealed that several suspects had been arrested in connection with attacks on INEC offices in the state.

The PPRO, Henry Okoye said, “Several arrests have been made in connection with the four different attacks on INEC offices across the state.”