Ahead of the much anticipated Ekiti State governorship election scheduled to hold on Saturday, the Nigeria Police  has released a far-reaching operational order  by the Inspector General of Police , Ibrahim Kpotun-Idris ‎ which is expected to ensure a peaceful, credible, free and fair election in the state.

According to a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Sunday by the Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Jimoh Moshood, the operational order contains massive deployment of both personnel and equipment to Ekiti State.

The statement read in part: “The Deputy Inspector General of Police, Department of Operations has been deployed to the State and will be assisted by an Assistant Inspector General of Police, four Commissioners of Police, eight Deputy Commissioners of Police and 18 Assistant Commissioners of Police.”

It said each of the Senatorial districts in the state would be manned by a Commissioner of Police while the DIG would implement and coordinate the security operations throughout the period of the elections.

The DIG is also expected to supervise the deployment of security personnel for the elections throughout the 2451 polling units/voting points, 177 wards and the 16 local government areas of the state.

‎The FPRO stated that to ensure adequate security before, during and after the election, the IGP has approved the deployment of 30,000 Police personnel to the State for the exercise.

“The personnel comprising Police Mobile Force (PMF) Units, Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU), the Special Protection Unit (SPU), the Anti-Bomb Squad (EOD), Conventional Policemen, the Armament Unit, personnel of FCIID and the Sniffer dogs section.

“Four (4) Policemen and two (2) others from other security agencies will be on duty at each polling unit throughout the State. The Police Mobile Force (PMF) which is to be headed by a very Senior Officer will provide security at the RAC, Super RAC and collation centres‎.

‎“Two Patrol Surveillance Helicopters, five additional Armoured Personnel Carriers, 10 Armoured Personnel Vehicles and 250 Police patrol vehicles would be deployed throughout the state including difficult terrains.

“Other security and safety agencies who are members of Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) in the State are also deployed to complement the Nigeria Police Force during the election,” the statement added.

‎The IGP further assured the electorate, the contestants and all law-abiding citizens in Ekiti State of adequate security throughout the election, urging them to feel free to cast their votes without any fear or apprehension.