Ekiti Governorship Poll: Police Deploy Multi-Layered Security, Assure Voters of Safety

By Pan Afric Reporters

ADO-EKITI – The Nigeria Police Force has assured residents of Ekiti State of adequate security ahead of the 2026 governorship election, announcing that all sensitive and non-sensitive electoral materials have been successfully deployed across the state’s 16 local government areas under heavy security protection.

Speaking during a media briefing at the Ekiti State Police Headquarters in Ado-Ekiti, the police commissioner overseeing election security operations, CP Abayomi Shogunle disclosed that officers had already escorted electoral materials from the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to all local government headquarters in the state.

According to him, security personnel have been stationed to guard the materials pending their movement to Registration Area Centres (RACs) and eventual distribution to polling units on election day.

“We have supported INEC in ensuring that both sensitive and non-sensitive electoral materials arrived safely in all the 16 local government headquarters in Ekiti State. The next phase is to escort these materials to the RACs and, very early tomorrow morning, to all polling units across the state,” he said.

The police chief for the election explained that security agencies had concluded arrangements to ensure polling units are ready by 6:30 a.m., ahead of the commencement of voting at 8:30 a.m.

He revealed that the Inspector-General of Police approved a comprehensive operational order anchored on a multi-layered security framework designed to neutralize threats before, during and after the election.

The strategy includes an outer security ring covering border areas between Ekiti and neighbouring states including Kogi, Kwara, Ondo and Osun, where security forces had conducted clearance operations against criminal elements over the past month.

According to him, specially trained operatives from the Counter-Terrorism Unit and the Special Intervention Squad have been deployed to monitor forest corridors and major entry points into the state.

“We identified potential threats through our security assessment and have put in place a robust framework to address them. As we speak, security personnel are monitoring all routes into and out of Ekiti State, including forest areas,” he stated.

The second layer of security comprises deployments around major towns and cities, while additional officers have been positioned at strategic locations to reassure residents and deter criminal activities.

At the innermost level, police personnel have been assigned to all polling units, collation centres, INEC offices and facilities housing electoral officials and National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members participating in the exercise.

He also expressed satisfaction with the level of public confidence in security agencies, noting that engagements with stakeholders and community leaders indicated widespread trust in the ability of law enforcement agencies to ensure a peaceful poll.

“Citizens and residents of Ekiti State have demonstrated a high level of confidence in security agencies. We will continue to work with stakeholders to ensure a free, fair and peaceful election,” he said.

He added that officers participating in election duties had undergone specialized training and would be guided strictly by the provisions of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) and the Electoral Act.

“The Nigerian Police Force will remain neutral throughout the election. Our actions will be guided solely by the law,” he stressed.

While reiterating the restriction of vehicular movement during the election, the police chief clarified that candidates participating in scheduled examinations would not be affected by the directive.

“There is a nationwide examination tomorrow. Students and candidates are free to proceed to their examination centres. The restriction applies to vehicular movement and should not prevent them from writing their exams,” he explained.

He also issued a stern warning to individuals or groups planning to disrupt the electoral process.

“If you attempt to undermine the peaceful conduct of this election, we will come after you and ensure you face justice in accordance with the law,” he warned.

The police subsequently urged registered voters to come out in large numbers and exercise their civic responsibility without fear, assuring them of maximum security throughout the election period.