By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja
The Kogi State Police Command has intensified security preparations for Saturday’s Local Government Council elections, deploying intelligence assets to identified flashpoints and directing officers to submit hourly situation reports.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Naziru Bello Kankarofi, disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday by the Command’s Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Saliu Oyiza Afusat.
Kankarofi said the measures were designed to prevent electoral violence, protect lives and property, and ensure a peaceful and credible electoral process across the state.
He said the Command had issued a joint operational order for the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies involved in securing the October 17 polls.
According to him, personnel had received briefings on operational guidelines, their respective responsibilities and the measures required to maintain security before, during and after the elections.
The police commissioner also convened a strategic meeting with Divisional Police Officers, heads of departments and area commanders to strengthen operational readiness and ensure strict compliance with election security guidelines.
At the meeting, officers were directed to maintain professionalism, remain impartial and respect citizens’ rights throughout the electoral process.
They were also instructed to strengthen supervision, remain vigilant and respond promptly to security threats within their respective areas of responsibility.
As part of efforts to prevent disruptions, Kankarofi ordered the deployment of intelligence assets to identified flashpoints to detect potential threats early and facilitate timely intervention.
He said the directive for hourly situation reports and prompt incident reporting would improve monitoring, strengthen coordination among security formations and enable rapid responses to emerging threats.
The commissioner added that the exercise would also provide an opportunity to deepen inter-agency collaboration ahead of future electoral engagements.
Kankarofi urged residents to cooperate with security agencies, conduct themselves peacefully, obey lawful directives and avoid actions capable of disrupting the elections.
He also encouraged members of the public to report suspicious movements and emergencies through the Command’s dedicated telephone lines: 07038329084 and 08152195982.
The police commissioner reassured voters that adequate security arrangements had been made to enable them to exercise their civic responsibilities without fear and called on all stakeholders to support efforts to ensure peaceful elections across Kogi State.