Nigeria’s Acting Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu has ordered an immediate beef up of security around all offices and facilities of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The order was issued hours after the electoral body announced that it had informed the Acting IG about the fire outbreaks in two of its offices in Abia and Plateau states.

A statement issued by the Police spokesman, Mr. Frank Mba on Sunday said all Commissioners of Police in the 36 states and Abuja have been directed to put in place adequate, functional and purposeful security arrangements aimed at protecting all INEC offices and materials from all forms of crimes and mischief before, during and after the elections.

The statement said the zonal Assistant Inspectors General of Police (AIGs) have also been mandated to monitor the level of compliance of the directive of all commands under their jurisdiction.

“The IG also directed the AIGs and CPs to ensure that no breach of security of any kind occurs within and around INEC facilities under their watch.

“The Inspector General of Police assures Nigerians of the readiness of the Nigeria Police Force to deliver on its mandate of providing a safe and enabling environment for the conduct of the general election,” Mba said

He further reiterated the commitment of the Police towards providing a level playing field for all politicians while remaining professional and apolitical in the discharge of its responsibilities.