The Acting Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Ibrahim K Idris, has directed the Imo and Kogi states’ commissioners of police to deploy additional Police Mobile Force personnel, Counter- Terrorism Units and conventional policemen from neighbouring states at all the identifiable flashpoints, and other strategic locations in Imo North and Kogi East senatorial districts.

This, said a police statement, is to ensure proper co-ordination of security operations and adequate deployment of police personnel during the rerun elections scheduled to hold tomorrow, July 23. The senatorial polls will hold simultaneously with the houses of assembly rerun elections in the two states.

Politicians, community leaders, parents and guardians are advised to prevail on their supporters, subjects, children and wards to be law-abiding, and desist from any act that is capable of causing disturbance of the peace or disruption of the electoral process, “as the full weight of the law will be applied on anyone found violating the electoral act or indulging in other acts capable of causing violence during the election.”

The acting IGP disclosed this in a media statement signed by Force Public Relations Officer, DSP Don N Awunah, and made available to News Express. He noted that the measures were aimed at ensuring a hitch-free and credible electioneering process during the rerun elections. The IGP also charged the commissioners of police in the two states to provide adequate security for Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) staff, election materials, the electorates, election observers, and other individuals and bodies that have statutory roles to play in the conduct of the elections at the polling booths, collation centres and at INEC offices throughout the election period.

The police boss assured the electorates and law-abiding citizens in the two states of adequate security and safety before, during and after the elections. He urged them to co-operate with the police “in the lawful discharge of their duties, even as he warned security details to refrain from accompanying their principals and politicians to polling booths and collating centres during the election period.

•Photo shows Acting IGP Ibrahim K Idris.