Ahead of Saturday’s governorship election in Anambra State, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has replaced the Commissioner of Police, Ikioye Orutugu, with Abayomi Shogunle.
The change was announced yesterday. The new Commissioner of Police is to oversee all policing operations in the state during the forthcoming governorship election.
According to a statement signed by the Command’s spokesperson, Tochukwu Ikenga, the posting is in line with the Force’s operational strategy aimed at enhancing security planning to ensure a peaceful, credible, and transparent electoral process in Anambra State.
Upon assuming duty, CP Shogunle immediately activated the Enforcement Protocol for Anti-Electoral Offences, aimed at ensuring zero tolerance for ballot snatching, vote-buying, political thuggery, and voter intimidation.
Ikenga further disclosed that the Commissioner has strengthened the Electoral Offences Desk to monitor social media and other online platforms for cyber-related electoral crimes, with a mandate for prompt investigation and prosecution.
He added that the new CP has also established a central command framework to ensure real-time intelligence sharing, coordination, and rapid response, supported by the joint deployment of over 60,000 security personnel drawn from agencies under the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES).
The Command stated that ICCES operatives will secure all 5,720 polling units in the state, with tactical reserves positioned along inter-local government and state boundaries.
Ikenga emphasised that all vigilante groups—such as Agunechemba and other quasi-security outfits—remain banned from election security operations. Only Federal Government security agencies are authorised to provide security services during the polls, in accordance with Nigerian law.
“Furthermore,” the statement continued, “VIP movements with armed escorts or security aides at polling or collation centres are strictly prohibited. Violators will face immediate arrest, withdrawal of escorts, and prosecution.”
“Only designated INEC officials, accredited observers, and journalists are permitted to move freely between approved areas,” he added.