Monday, July 20, 2026

Police tactical teams intensify surveillance with helicopters, drones ahead of Anambra poll

Mr Oturugu stated that the deployment of helicopters and surveillance drones would enable real-time monitoring of key locations, border communities, and flashpoints.

• November 3, 2025
Police chopper
Police chopper

The police headquarters in Abuja has deployed its tactical teams, including helicopters and drones, as part of measures to ensure safety and a hitch-free governorship election on November 8 in Anambra.

Police spokesman Tochukwu Ikenga disclosed this in a statement on Sunday.

“As part of ongoing efforts to guarantee safety and ensure a hitch-free governorship election in Anambra, the  Police Command in the state has received the Force Headquarters Advance Tactical Teams deployed to strengthen the security architecture across the state.

“The deployment, approved by the Inspector-General of Police (I-G) Kayode Egbetokun, is in line with the police strategic operational plan to reinforce local formations with additional manpower and advanced technical support, including helicopters and drones for aerial surveillance,” he said.

Receiving the tactical teams in Awka, police commissioner Ikioye Orutugu thanked the inspector general of police for his support and commitment to ensuring the safety of lives and property in Anambra.

According to Mr Orutugu, the aerial surveillance will complement ongoing land patrols by tactical units, intelligence operatives, and police special squads strategically deployed across the 21 LGAs.

He said that the combined efforts of the command and the  tactical operatives would further enhance visibility policing, intelligence-driven operations, and rapid response to emerging threats.

Mr Oturugu stated that the deployment of helicopters and surveillance drones would enable real-time monitoring of key locations, border communities, and flashpoints.

According to him, the ground teams will maintain robust patrols and checkpoint operations across all 21 LGAs.

Mr Orutugu reaffirmed the command’s readiness to collaborate with sister security agencies and other stakeholders in maintaining peace, law, and order, especially as the governorship election approaches.

He urged residents to remain calm, vigilant, and supportive of the police by promptly reporting suspicious persons or movements to the nearest police station or through the Command’s emergency hotlines: 07039194332 or 08039334002.

The commissioner assured residents of the command’s firm commitment to ensuring a secure environment, where law-abiding citizens can go about their lawful duties without fear or intimidation before, during, and after the poll. 

(NAN) 

We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.

More from Peoples Gazette

farmers

Agriculture

FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology

The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices

Katsina State

Politics

Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku

“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

Bello Bodejo (Credit: PUNCH Newspaper)

Abuja

Court admits Miyetti Allah leader Bodejo to N2 billion bail in money laundering trial

The Federal High Court, Abuja Division, on Monday admitted Bello Bodejo, the national president of Miyetti Allah Kauta Kore, to N2 billion bail with two sureties.

FRSC marshals and overloaded vehicle

States

FRSC cracks down on drivers, arrests 58 offenders for overloading

The Federal Road Safety Corps says it arrested 58 offenders since beginning its ‘War Against Overloading’ campaign in Gombe.

University of Port Harcourt

Education

UNIPORT dissolves students’ union, orders leaders to appear before investigative panel

The institution did not disclose the reasons for the dissolution or the specific issues under investigation.

Kano governor

Rights

Official files lawsuit against Kano’s judicial commission, seeks N100 million damages

The suit, filed before the National Industrial Court, also named Governor Abba Yusuf and the commissioner for justice as respondents.

Armed policemen

States

Police say Ondo-Lagos armed robbery syndicate nabbed

The police command in Ondo state on Monday said it arrested three interstate armed robbery syndicates and recovered AK-47 rifles, Beretta pistols and other items.