The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Olohundare Jimoh, has announced the deployment of more than 30,000 police personnel across Lagos State in preparation for the upcoming local government elections scheduled for Saturday.
Addressing journalists during a pre-election security briefing held in Lagos, the Police Commissioner explained that the deployment consists of 20,000 officers already attached to the Lagos State Police Command, with an additional 10,000 operatives approved by the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to bolster security operations.
According to Jimoh, the deployment strategy covers all 13,325 polling units across the state’s 20 Local Government Areas (LGAs) and 33 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs). He assured residents that the command is fully prepared to ensure a peaceful and secure electoral exercise.
“Our security operations are segmented into three strategic phases: pre-election, election day, and post-election. We’ve carried out thorough threat assessments, identified flashpoints, and implemented proactive security measures accordingly,” he said.
The Commissioner also highlighted the collaborative efforts being coordinated through the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES), which he co-chairs alongside the Chairman of the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC). The committee, he said, plays a crucial role in harmonizing efforts between the police, military, and other security agencies.
To further bolster election day security, Jimoh disclosed that specialized units have been mobilized. These include the Marine Police, the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), the Lagos State Taskforce, and other tactical teams tasked with monitoring both land and waterways to prevent any security breach.
“No polling unit will be left unattended,” he assured. “While officers deployed to polling units will be unarmed, strategically placed armed response teams will remain on standby nearby, ready to intervene swiftly if necessary.”
Earlier in the day, the police commissioner led a “show of force” exercise through key locations in the state. The operation was aimed at demonstrating the readiness of the security agencies and deterring potential troublemakers from attempting to disrupt the electoral process.
Jimoh also announced a restriction on vehicular movement from 6:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on election day. He explained that this timing was adjusted from the initially proposed 8:00 a.m. start to make allowances for emergency services and international travellers who may need to move during the election period.
He issued a stern warning to political thugs and criminal elements, stating that any individual or group found attempting to cause chaos or disrupt the elections will face severe legal consequences.
“We are not taking chances. The safety of voters and the credibility of the electoral process is paramount. Anyone caught violating the law will be dealt with decisively,” he warned.