The Inspector General of Police, Usman Baba, has promised Igbos and other residents in the South-East that security forces will deal with IPOB, ESN and unknown gunmen to ensure that the 2023 general election is peaceful in the region.

The region has witnessed violent attacks of government facilities, especially INEC offices and workers.

The police chief also assured residents in the region that plans were underway to make sure elections were held.

“We are brainstorming together to fashion out ways to deal with existing and emerging security threats headlong within the South-East. “We are working relentlessly on the goal of ensuring that election holds in the South-East and people’s votes are secured, and it will definitely count,” the IGP assured. 

Mr Baba added, “It is clear that with robust synergy, cooperation and joint operations, this area will be the most peaceful and our people will surely come out to exercise their civic responsibility.”

Mr Baba, represented by Assistant Inspector General of Police Isaac Akinmoyede, spoke during the opening of the ‘South-East 2023 Elections Security Management Workshop’ on Saturday in Enugu.

Ex-IGP Solomon Arase said the workshop was for all security agencies and formations in the South-East to get them ready to ensure security ahead of the 2023 general elections.

“Security agencies have gathered here on how to study trends and patterns of crimes before and during elections and how to effectively deal with it in a holistic and collaborative manner,” he said.

The police commissioner in Enugu, Abubakar Lawal, stressed that the 2023 election will hold, “and we are doing everything humanly possible to ensure that.” 

“Our people should not entertain any fear or any opinion in the contrary,” added Mr Lawal.

The workshop was attended by the army, air force, navy, police, SSS and NSCDC. Other security agencies involved in the programme were the Nigeria Correctional Service, immigration, customs, fire service and NDLEA, among others.

The workshop was organised by the inspector general to further build the capacity of security agencies and their personnel on election security. 

(NAN)