POLICE BANS VIGILANCE GROUPS, NON-STATE ACTORS FROM MARCH 18 POLLS IN ANAMBRA

REPORTER: UCHE NDEKE

Police in Anambra State have barred non-state actors, including operatives of the Anambra Vigilante Services from involving themselves in Saturday’s House of Assembly election in the area.

The Commissioner of Police in charge of election duties in Anambra State, Mr. Aderemi Adeoye, stated this on Friday shortly after having a meeting with other heads of security chiefs and sister agencies at the state command headquarters, Amawbia.

Mr. Adeoye said police personnel had been adequately mobilized for the election, and operatives of the state vigilante services not permitted to engage in any election duty by way of guarding VIPs, intimidating voters or trying to coerce them against their wish, and that any one arrested for that would be dealt with.

The Police boss in charge of election, who said he was briefing journalists on behalf of the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) in charge of Zone 13, Mr. Rudolf Obe Echebi, assured the people that the police was ready to provide a safe environment for free and fair election in Anambra.

“We will also provide security for the people of the state, and they should feel free to go out and vote in the election,” he assured.

The Commissioner of Police also noted that the command would implement the directive of the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr. Usman Alkali Baba, on restriction of all forms of vehicular movement on roads, waterways, and other forms of transportation from 12midnight to 6:00p.m. on election day.

He however said it was with the exception of those on essential services and other emergency situations.

Radio Nigeria observed that the Commissioners of police in charge of the three senatorial zones of the state were present during the briefing.

EDITED BY CHUKWUBUIKE MADU