Mopol to be deployed in strategic locations during polls, says acting IGP

Andrew Orolua, Abuja

The acting Inspector General Police, Mohammed Adamu, said on Wednesday, that Police Mobile Force will be deployed to provide robust protection for local and international election observers, INEC officials and sensitive electoral materials as well as critical national infrastructure during the elections. He said that in line with its mandate, and in relation to the election security plans, they shall also be engaged in supporting the other arms of the Force in undertaking intelligence-led operations in areas identified as high risk in the threat analysis report. Adamu disclosed at a conference in Abuja he held with all the Squadron Commanders of the 68 Police Mobile Force Squadrons in the Force. According to him, “the Police Mobile Units shall be located at strategic places across the country to respond swiftly to any security threat, while also undertaking street patrols to deter criminal acts in the course of the elections.” Details of the deployments formed part of the meeting discussion during the conference on Wednesday. He assured Nigerians and the international community that the Police Mobile Officers to be deployed on the election security operations have been adequately exposed to tailor-made professional trainings towards ensuring that they undertake their duties in the most civil manner while not losing their operational potency in the event of any threat. He reiterated his earlier call on political actors and the electorates to place national security interest above their personal interests and be guided by the overriding obligation to situate all their actions within extant rules. He said that he is firmly committed to ensuring a robust election security management that will guarantee a conducive environment for citizens to freely exercise their electoral franchise.