The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State command, Olohundare Jimoh, has assured residents of the state of adequate security before, during and after the forthcoming local government elections in the state.

The local government election in Lagos is scheduled to hold on July 12.

Mr Jimoh gave the assurance while speaking with journalists on the command’s preparations for the elections on Wednesday in Ikeja.

“We have been meeting with the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) and we have fine-tuned all the arrangements to ensure that we have a peaceful, free and fair elections.

“Throughout the 20 local government areas and the 37 Local Council Development Areas, the operational order is out and deployment of our personnel are equally out,” he said.

The CP said that the Inspector General of Police (I-GP), Kayode Egbetokun, had provided all the necessities from manpower to logistics.

“The I-G has approved additional deployment and given the command all the equipment that is needed for the election.

“Equally, we have brought all other security and safety agencies in the state on board.

“We are not leaving anything to chance. That is why we are bringing in police officers from other states to ensure that we have the required number as stipulated by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) guidelines for the posting and deployment during elections.

“We have carried out all our threat assessments, and know areas where hiccups or problems might come from, and they are equally being addressed, ” he said.

The police commissioner urged the electorate to come out on election day and vote for their preferred candidates.

“Over six million electorate have collected their permanent voters’ card. We encourage you to come out and vote massively for the candidates of your choice.

“Fifteen political parties are contesting in the elections and are already on the field campaigning and canvassing for votes, ” the police boss said.

Mr Jimoh encouraged the players, stakeholders and others who are participating in the election to play the game according to the rules.

He said that there would be meetings on Thursday and Friday to decide if there would be restrictions of movement on the election day.

The CP said that security agencies that are not owned by the federal government would not be allowed to participate in the election.

He said that the command’s control room would be operational and the representatives of all other agencies would be there so as to nip in the bud any issue of concern anywhere.

(NAN)