2023 elections: Police to deploy 300,000 officers to 176,846 polling units

The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Usman Baba, says over 300,000 police officers will be deployed nationwide to ensure the successful conduct of the forthcoming general election in the country.

Baba disclosed this at a press briefing in Abuja on Thursday.

The IGP said: “From INEC records, there exist 176,846 polling units in 8,809 wards of the 36 states of the federation, including the Federal Capital Territory where the elections will be conducted.

“The Nigeria Police with the support of other security agencies have perfected plans to deploy in a coordinated and collaborative manner to cover all these locations.

“In view of the above, the Nigeria Police will deploy 310,973 personnel for the election security operations.

“This will comprise conventional policemen, mobile policemen, the special counter-terrorism unit, the Special Forces, intelligence response team, and other sections of the police.

“The manpower requirements for this exercise will be complemented by the military and other security agencies.”

Baba said the NPF has fully mobilised to provide adequate security for the smooth conduct of the 2023 general election.

“As you are all aware, we are counting days for the 2023 general election to commence, particularly the Presidential and National Assembly elections on February 25,” he added.

According to Baba, the NPF is galvanising the entire defence and security sector to ensure that they provide adequate security before, during, and after the election to enable Nigerians exercise their franchise.

“In other words, we are looking at the issue of political campaigns, rallies, and processions that are going on now; the actual Election Day and also our level of preparedness could anything happen after the announcement of results,” the IGP added.

The Star