Ahead of the Ondo State gubernatorial election scheduled for November 16, 2024, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has banned quasi-security outfits, including Amotekun and Vigilante Corps, from participating in election security.
The IGP emphasized that only federal security agencies and members of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security will be involved.
In a statement issued on Sunday by Force spokesperson Muyiwa Adejobi, the IGP stated that the police are focused on ensuring a peaceful election across all 18 Local Government Areas, 203 Wards, and 3,933 Polling Units in the state.
Egbetokun has organized security measures, including the deployment of specialized units and equipment to secure the election.
“The deployment will include officers from units such as the Special Intervention Squad, Police Mobile Force, Counter-Terrorism Unit, Special Protection Unit, and Explosive Ordinance Disposal Unit,” Adejobi said.
He added that the deployment also includes K-9 units, the Federal Investigation and Intelligence Response Team, and the Federal Intelligence and Security Task Force.
Adejobi outlined that police helicopters will conduct aerial patrols, and gunboats will patrol waterways and riverine areas in Ondo State.
“These measures aim to deter any attempts to disrupt the electoral process,” he said, noting that all actions will adhere to the guidelines of the Electoral Act, 2022, to support a fair election.
The IGP also warned against election-related violence or disruptions.
“Political thugs or groups planning any form of disruption will face the law,” Adejobi stated, affirming that such actions will not go unpunished.
