Police deploy 10,000 officers for elections in Oyo

The Oyo State Police Command has said that 10,000 officers would be deployed for the presidential and national assembly elections across the 33 councils in the state.

Commissioner of Police, Mr. Shina Olukolu, said this during a press conference at the command’s headquarters in Ibadan, the state capital.

Olukolu, while assuring residents of adequate security, said the 10,000 officers would be deployed at strategic areas, polling units, voting points and various locations considered as flash points, among others.

He said that patrol teams, which would provide security cover to the unarmed officers at the various polling units to maintain law and order, would be stationed at strategic areas and flash points in case of any breach.

He said the policemen would ensure security for the people, voting materials and Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials during and after the elections.

“I can tell you that we have about 10,000 personnel that will be deployed for this election.

“The criminally-minded people should stay away. They don’t have business in the elections. But those who are to perform their civil responsibility should come out for the elections; they should not exercise any fear.

“The armed patrol teams are to be stationed at strategic places to provide security in case of any breach.

“I appeal to the people of the state to go out tomorrow and perform their civil responsibility without any fear. Police are deployed to ensure that voting materials and INEC officials are secure. We are also going to have patrol teams on standby. Security is to be provided for everybody without fear or favour,” he said.

Olukolu warned politicians to play the game by the rules and desist from acts that could jeopardise the conduct of the elections.