Police to Begin Pre-Election Security Operations November 1 — IGP Egbetokun

The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, says the Nigeria Police Force will commence pre-election deployments in Anambra State on November 1 ahead of the November 8, 2025 governorship election.

Egbetokun made this known on Tuesday during the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) meeting held at the INEC Headquarters in Abuja.

Represented by the Commissioner of Police, Special Intervention Squad, Abayomi Shogunle, the IGP said the deployments would ensure adequate security before, during, and after the polls.

He explained that tactical units would carry out clearance operations to neutralize threats and arrest potential troublemakers before election day.

“Only security agencies officially represented in ICCES—such as the Police, DSS, NSCDC, and the military—will be involved in the election. No vigilante group will be allowed to play any role in the electoral process,” Egbetokun stated.

He added that movement restrictions would be imposed on Election Day, while all entry and exit points in the state would be adequately manned to prevent the inflow of arms or criminal elements.

“We are determined to deliver a peaceful and credible election,” he affirmed.

On his part, the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, warned politicians and stakeholders against inciting violence, saying such acts would not be tolerated.

Ribadu, represented by the Director of Internal Security, Hassan Abdullahi, reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to providing a secure environment for the polls.

“We are engaging with political leaders and local stakeholders to send a clear message that violence will not be tolerated,” Ribadu said.

He noted that the Office of the NSA was implementing President Bola Tinubu’s directive on the strategic mobilization of security forces for the election, adding that enhanced surveillance, increased personnel deployment, and improved intelligence gathering had been activated to forestall disruption by “destructive elements or desperate politicians.”