IGP Baba Reveals Number Of Security Operatives Deployed For Elections

The Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, has said a total of 425,106 security operatives have been deployed for today’s presidential and National Assembly elections.

Baba made this known while speaking at a media briefing organised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) at the National Collation Centre in Abuja on Friday.

He said the officers are drawn from the Nigerian Police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Nigerian Correctional Service, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Nigeria Immigration Service.

The Police chief, however, stated that the figure does not include members of the Armed Forces of Nigeria and the Department of State Service (DSS).

He revealed that the Nigeria Police Force released a large part of the personnel with 310,973 offices, while the EFCC provided the least number with 350 operatives.

Baba said the NSCDC provided 51,000 operatives, while the FRSC deployed 21,000 officers. He added that the NCS provided 11,336 officers while the NDLEA deployed 9,447 operatives.

He said , “425,106 and I have said it agency by agency. In the Police we have 310,973, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence – 51,000; Federal Road Safety Corps – 21,000; Nigerian Correctional Service – 11,336; National Drug Law Enforcement Agency – 9,447; Economic and Financial Crimes Commission – 350; Nigeria Immigration Service – 21,000.”

Speaking further, Baba said revealed that orderlies attached to politicians will be withdrawn during the polls.

The IGP said the Force expects the VIPs to drop their armed bodyguards or orderlies from escorting them to the polling booths.

The police chief noted that, if escorted to the polling units, the orderlies of VIPs should stay at a distance for the VIP to cast or her votes before being escorted away.