Elections: 9,500 security personnel to provide security in Niger

The Police in Niger say 9,500 security personnel have been deployed to strategic locations across the state for Saturday’s Presidential and National Assembly elections.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, Alhaji Sabo Ibrahim, said this in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Minna on Friday.

He said that the personnel comprised 6,500 policemen and 3,000 from other security agencies in the state.

Ibrahim said that all the operatives, especially those from other agencies had been trained on how to provide security before, during and after the elections.

He assured that all identified black spots in the state would be under surveillance so as to deal with any form of security threat, and expressed the command’s readiness for hitch-free elections in the state.

He also said that the command would handle electoral offences that may occur during the polls according to extant laws.

According to him, anyone arrested for any electoral offence will be prosecuted according to the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended).

“We have deployed policemen and other security agencies to all polling units to ensure orderliness.

“There will be security at the collation centres during vote-counting and for those that want to celebrate after the winner is announced.

“We will leave no stone unturned as there will be normal patrols and standby units at the command’s headquarters to ensure no breach of peace during and after elections,’’ he said.

The police commissioner explained that the deployment of security personnel was to ensure peaceful elections, adding that various security checks were in place to deal with any unforeseen circumstances.

He warned trouble makers and suspected criminals to turn a new leaf or face the law.“As security agents, we all have a duty to ensure a level-playing field for all political actors,” he said.