Anambra Election: Unprofessional Conduct of Security Agents Could Trigger Electoral Violence

Yemi Akinsuyi/

CLEEN Foundation, a non-governmental agency promoting Public Safety, Security, and access to Justice in Nigeria has stated the need for security agencies to be appropriately briefed before deployment on election duty for the 2021 governorship election in Anambra State.

According to the Assistant Programme Manager, CLEEN Foundation, Chigozirim Okoro who spoke during a zoom meeting titled ‘Security Threat Assessment Findings On The Conduct Of Security Agencies #Anambra Decides,’ the assertion is based on research carried out by the Foundation.

Respondents spoke of the high likelihood of the conduct of security agencies to trigger electoral violence. This is particularly the case when they resort to excessive use of force or fail to appear at their duty post.

Okoro said: “Security agencies, particularly on the aggressive or excessive use of force by the security forces.36,000 police personnel to be deployed in the Anambra election, this is a huge number to be engaged for an election as their presence alone will create tension which is already high. In the survey, more than half of the respondents (56%) agreed and 34% strongly agreed that aggressive and excessive use of force by the security forces on the civilians could cause electoral violence. Similarly, over half of the respondents (51%) agreed and 24% strongly agreed that inadequate or excessive presence of security agents could cause electoral violence. The survey reveals that lack of synergy between INEC and the security agencies in the country can compromise peaceful conduct of election in Anambra State. These findings underscore the role of professionalism on the part of security agents to the prospect of peaceful elections.

“Instructions to the personnel are key and their professional conduct on election duty.

“Following best standard practice, such huge numbers are not needed to policing an election. If only the officers will adhere to rules as the issue is more of attitudinal and behavioral, as what will come to play will be more intimidation.
The security personnel is expected to do what is right as observed during some recent elections conducted in Nigeria. Their professional conduct contributes to the overall success of the election.

“Rule of engagement that will be carried out matters. Is it driven by the application of Force or Best Practices in Policing Elections? What does code of conduct mean to them especially in a volatile setting like Anambra State?

“It is also important that they do not get influenced by what they see as money will definitely be placed in view and this brings us to the issue of welfare packages to avoid exposing the personnel in the hand of these politicians.

“Inter-agency coordination and collaboration are crucial for improved service delivery.

“There is a need for the security agencies to come together and compare notes for proper deployment of the personnel ahead of the election.”

She called for the need to intensify surveillance patrols and interdiction operations in high-crime hot spots to deter drug and weapons dealings in the state.

She said, “The NPF should implement robust and ‘right-sized deployment of operatives across the 21 LGAs to ensure adequate security provisioning before, during and after the election. Publicize non-classified aspects of security arrangements for the election to boost the confidence of the people to come out and vote.

“We should ensure that the allowances of security personnel on election duties are adequately provided for and paid fully as and when due.

“We should develop a robust strategy for rapid deployment of the military to flashpoints of violence, to be activated only when and where there are serious security breaches that overwhelm the capacity of the police.

“We should collaborate with INEC to diligently prosecute all those arrested for violating the provisions of the Electoral Act, including vote-buying. Expand capacity building for personnel on critical subjects such as election security, human rights observance, and evidence preservation.

“We should sustain and deepen inter-agency collaboration in the area of drug interdiction, anti-cultism operations, and mopping up of small arms and light weapons.”

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