Election: IG to deploy 300 policemen to Kogi

By Niyi Adebimpe - 14.02.2008

NO fewer than 300 policemen will be deployed by the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr. Mike Okiro, to beef up security during the fresh governorship election coming up in Kogi State on March 22. The acting governor of the state, Mr. Clarence Olafemi, made this known during the swearing-in of former political appointees of the embattled former governor of the state, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris, re-appointed by his administration.

He stressed the readiness of his administration to ensure that a conducive environment was provided for the election to hold in the state. He also noted that the police in the state and the Inspector General had assured him of providing adequate security before, during and after the election. “I have the full assurance of the IGP and the Commissioner of Police in doing this.

The IG phoned me less than six hours after I was sworn in to give me the assurance that he would do everything possible to secure the state. As such, he has approved the deployment of another 300 policemen. “I want to seize this opportunity to thank him because he is very much concerned about every event in Kogi State,” he said.

He added that the unsettled dust in the Central Senatorial District of the state must have made the IGP to foresee what would happen during the election. “I want to make sure that nobody will be able to frighten us; that election must hold and it will hold by the grace of God.”