The Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Usman Alkali Baba yesterday disclosed that a total of 425,106 security operatives will be deployed for the presidential and National Assembly elections slated for today.
Speaking during a media briefing organised by the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) at the National Collation Centre in Abuja, the IGP said the figure excludes members of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
He explained that the personnel are drawn from the Nigerian Police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, 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.
While the Nigeria Police will provide a large trunk of personnel with 310,973, the anti-graft agency will provide the least number, with 350 operatives.
IGP Baba also said that all orderlies attached to VIPs will be withdrawn during the polls. He stated that the Force expects the VIPs to drop their armed bodyguards or orderlies from escorting them to the polling booths.
He further explained that the Nigerian Police are covered by an existing oath of office and oath of allegiance, and so do not need to swear another oath of neutrality.
According to him, both Police operatives and personnel of other security agencies are expected to adhere to the oaths upon graduation.
