The Police Service Commission (PSC) has commended the leadership of the Nigeria Police Force, NPF, for the effective and efficient deployment of officers during the just concluded off-cycle Anambra State governorship election

This was contained in a statement made available to news men in Abuja on Sunday by the Spokesperson of the Commission Mr Ikechukwu Ani.

According to the statement, the Commission described the overall performance of the Police as “above average adding that their professionalism contributed significantly to the peaceful and credible conduct of the election.

The Commission stated that reports from its monitors across the state indicated that police personnel on election duty were orderly, courteous, and maintained a high level of discipline.

It stated the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Taiwo Lakanu , rtd, who led the PSC monitoring team, applauded the Inspector General of Police, IGP Olukayode Adeolu Egbetokun, for ensuring that officers deployed for the exercise were adequately equipped and properly briefed to provide a secure environment for a free and fair election.

It further added that DIG Lakanu, who visited several polling units, said he observed “an atmosphere of peace and tranquillity,” noting that voters cast their ballots without fear or intimidation.

He said, “I didn’t see ballot snatching in the places I visited, and I was impressed with the orderliness in the voting centres,”

He reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to supporting efforts aimed at improving police performance during elections to further strengthen Nigeria’s democracy.

The statement further added that in the Anambra North Senatorial Zone, the PSC team led by Ferdinand Ekpe, Director of the Department of Police Discipline, reported effective collaboration between the Police and other security agencies.

According to the statement the team visited several polling units across Onitsha North, Onitsha South, Ogbaru, and Oyi local government areas.

It added that similarly, in the Anambra Central Senatorial Zone, George Muruako, Deputy Director of the Department of Police Investigation, reported that police personnel were courteous and maintained order around voting areas.

It further explained that the team covered polling units in Agu Awka Ward, Aroma Junction, Esther Obiakor Estate, Ministry of Lands, and Anaocha Local Government Area while in the Anambra South Senatorial Zone, the PSC team led by Mrs Justina Okurubonye, a Deputy Director in the Department of Police Investigation, visited five of the seven local government areas—Orumba North, Ihiala, Ekwusigo, and Nnewi North—and reported that police officers conducted themselves professionally and wore proper identification tags

The Commission reaffirmed its confidence in the Nigeria Police Force and pledged continued collaboration to enhance security management during future elections. (Sunday Tribune)