THE Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun has ordered the deployment of senior police officers, including Assistant Inspectors-General and Commissioners of Police, to 13 states ahead of Saturday’s by-elections to ensure smooth and secure voting.
The deployment will be supported by operatives from the Police Mobile Force, Special Intervention Squad, Force Intelligence Department, and other tactical units.
The affected states include Jigawa, Edo, Ogun, Oyo, Adamawa, Anambra, Kaduna, Kano, Taraba, Kogi, Niger, Enugu, and Zamfara.
Egbetokun also announced restrictions on all vehicular movement—from 12 a.m. to 6 p.m. on election day—within the relevant local government areas, except for those on essential duties such as INEC officials, accredited media, observers, medical emergency services, and firefighters.
Security aides to VIPs, as well as state-owned or private security outfits, are barred from participating in election security operations.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) confirmed the by-elections will take place in 16 constituencies across 12 states, covering two senatorial districts, five federal constituencies, and nine state constituencies.
The polls are being held to fill vacancies caused by resignations, deaths, or court-ordered reruns.
INEC said election materials, technology such as the BVAS, and security arrangements are ready, while campaigns officially end at midnight on Thursday, August 14.