IGP Deploys CP Abayomi Shogunle to Lead Election Duty in Anambra

The Inspector General of Police, Dr. Kayode Egbetokun, has appointed Commissioner of Police Abayomi Shogunle, PhD, to oversee security operations in Anambra State ahead of the November 8 governorship election.

The announcement was made in a statement issued to journalists by the spokesperson for the Anambra State Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga.

According to the statement, CP Shogunle has assumed duty as the Commissioner of Police in charge of the state and will coordinate all policing activities to ensure a peaceful and credible election.

Ikenga said: “Upon assumption of duty, CP Shogunle activated the IGP’s Enforcement Protocol for anti-electoral offences to ensure zero tolerance for ballot snatching, vote buying, political thuggery, and voter intimidation.

“The CP has also emplaced a central command framework to ensure real-time intelligence sharing, coordination, and rapid response, with a joint deployment of over 60,000 security personnel of agencies within the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES), who will secure the 5,720 polling units with tactical reserves along inter-LGA and state boundaries, and also designated election collation centers.

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“The CP has also stepped up the Electoral Offences Desk to monitor social media and online spaces towards identifying cyber-related crimes for prompt investigation and prosecution.”

He explained that CP Shogunle’s deployment aligns with the policing strategy approved by the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, designed to strengthen security coordination and guarantee a peaceful, credible, and transparent governorship election in Anambra State.

Ikenga further quoted the Commissioner as reaffirming the total ban on all vigilante outfits, including Agunechemba and other quasi-security groups, emphasizing that only federal security agencies are legally authorized to perform election security duties in accordance with national laws.

He added that VIP movements with armed escorts or security aides around polling and collation centers are strictly prohibited. Any violations, he warned, will result in immediate arrest, withdrawal of escorts, and prosecution of those involved.

“Only designated INEC officials, accredited observers, and journalists are allowed to move freely between designated areas.”