The police command in Anambra has promised to treat Anambra residents with civility as the November 6 governorship election approaches.

“We are going to be civil to them, but for troublemakers, we shall be firm and decisive on anybody who will come out to disturb people from performing their civic duties,” police commissioner Echeng Echeng made the promise at a news briefing on Thursday in Awka.

Mr Echeng, however, warned that the police would be firm and decisive in dealing with troublemakers.

The police chief said the command would commence a show of force on Friday to restore public confidence, stating that residents have nothing to fear regarding casting their votes on the election day.

“From tomorrow, you shall be seeing us on the streets.
“We shall dominate the space, and that is to assure the citizens that they are secure to come out to cast their votes without fear,” added the police commissioner.

“It is exactly eight days to the very important governorship election in Anambra. We all have our roles to play. Upon my assumption of office, we embarked on threat analysis and intelligence gathering through the strategic deployment of personnel,” said Mr Echeng. “We also initiated strategic engagement with sister security agencies, including the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and vigilance groups in the state.”

He further stated, “On the election, I assure you of water-tight security and round-the-clock policing to ensure that no breach of security of any kind occurs. Our deployment is functional and purposeful, all aimed at ensuring security before, during and after the election.”

The police have deployed 34,000 personnel to provide security for the election.

(NAN)