Tony Okafor, Awka
Ahead of the commencement of political campaigns across the country for the 2023 general elections, the Anambra State Police Command has enjoined politicians in the state to always avail it with their campaign itineraries during the period under review for security purposes.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Acheng Acheng gave the directive during a meeting with leaders of political parties and other stakeholders on Tuesday at the command’s headquarters in Amawbia, Awka South Local Government Area of the state.
The CP urged politicians to promptly notify the command of their campaign activities across the state, stressing that campaigns were a critical part of the electioneering process.
He said prompt information about their campaign activities would enable the command to provide adequate security for the safety of participants for such events.
The CP added, “The command shall also deploy other tactical and operational units as well as traffic control policemen to strategic points to ensure that the existing public safety and order in the state is sustained.
“The teams are expected to carry out security patrols, surveillance and traffic control in conjunction with sister security agents. This will definitely prevent criminal elements/hoodlums from taking advantage of unsuspecting party faithful and properly secure such events.
Acheng admonished officers who would be deployed for such assignments to display high level of professionalism and operate within the ambit of the law.
He also called on members of the public to coordinate themselves and cooperate with the police and other security agents in the course of discharging their constitutional responsibilities.
Some of the attendees to meeting were Head of Department,Electoral Operations, Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC), Mr Anuforo Kingsely, Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of operations, Anietie Akpan Eyoh and various leaders of political parties.
