Matilda Omonaiye/
The Anambra State Police Command has confirmed the assumption of duty by Commissioner of Police, Abayomi Shogunle, who has been deployed to the state by the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to oversee security arrangements for the forthcoming governorship election scheduled for Saturday, November 8, 2025.
Shogunle’s deployment, announced in a statement issued by the command’s spokesperson, SP Ikenga Tochukwu, on Tuesday, is part of the Inspector-General’s operational strategy to ensure a peaceful, credible, and transparent electoral process across Anambra State.
Upon taking charge, the new police commissioner immediately activated the Inspector-General’s Enforcement Protocol on electoral offences, pledging zero tolerance for ballot snatching, vote buying, political thuggery, and voter intimidation.
He also directed the strengthening of the Electoral Offences Desk to monitor social media and online activities for cyber-related election crimes.
According to the statement, Shogunle has established a central command framework designed to guarantee real-time intelligence sharing, coordination, and rapid response.
Over 60,000 security personnel from various agencies under the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) will be deployed across the 5,720 polling units in the state, with tactical reserves stationed along inter-local government and interstate boundaries, as well as designated collation centres.
Reaffirming the total ban on all vigilante and quasi-security groups such as Agunechemba during the election period, the commissioner warned that only federally recognised security agencies are permitted to provide election security.
He also prohibited VIP movements with armed escorts at polling or collation centres, warning that violators would be immediately apprehended, their escorts withdrawn, and prosecutions initiated.
“Only accredited INEC officials, observers, and journalists are authorised to move freely between designated areas,” Shogunle cautioned, stressing that the police would deal firmly with anyone attempting to disrupt the process.
The new police chief called on political leaders, community heads, and the electorate to cooperate with law enforcement agencies in maintaining peace before, during, and after the election.
“The Police Command is fully prepared to guarantee the safety of lives and property throughout the election period,” Tochukwu stated. “We urge citizens to remain law-abiding and report any suspicious activities to the nearest police formation.”
Commissioner Shogunle can be reached directly through the command’s contact line at 0809-600-0079.
0Related posts:
Elections and the Role of the Nigeria Police Force in the Electoral Process – Solomon Arase
Internal Security Dynamics and the Imperative of a New Policing Thought in Nigeria
Osun Election: Police Declare Curfew on Friday
Things to Avoid on Edo Gubernatorial Election Day – Police
How to Surpass Edo Election’s Security Success in Ondo – DIG Adeleye Oyebade
Policing The Nigerian Federation: Integrating Community Policing In Nigerian Security Architecture