Police Deploy 4,300 Officers for Anambra Central Rerun

The Anambra State Commissioner of  Police, Mr Garba Umar, has disclosed that 4,300 policemen have been designated for the  Anambra Central senatorial district rerun election taking place next Saturday.

The commissioner stated this on Wednesday at a press conference in his office in Amawbia, near Awka, saying three policemen would man each of the 1,448 polling units in the  seven local government areas involved in the poll.

The commissioner said movement would be restricted in the  seven LGAs, while warning any group planning to foment trouble during the poll to have a rethink or be prepared to face the wrath of the law. 

Part of the text read to journalists by the commissioner states that "The Anambra State Police Command wishes to inform the public that the Anambra State Central senatorial election is scheduled to take place on the 13th January, 2018 at 109 wards of the seven LGAs of the state.

"Based on the above, the command wishes to inform the public that there will  be restriction of movement within the affected local government areas."

The local governments involved include; Awka North, Awka South, Dunukofia, Njikoka, Idemil North, Idemili South and Anaocha.

The text further read that "The police and other security agencies are ready to ensure that the electioneering campaigns and voting on 13th January, 2018 are conducted smoothly without public disturbance; and assure all political parties, candidates, supporters, including the general public of their safety throughout the period of voting and collation.

"Anambra State is known for peaceful conduct of elections; I urge residents to be peaceful and orderly on  the election day."

Speaking on if a Federal High Court judgment ordered the immediate swearing-in of a candidate of the PDP, Umar said nobody has served him  with any court order stopping the election.

"Besides, police don't conduct elections. INEC conducts elections and the commission has informed us that we should assist them to conduct the January 13 election and we shall do," he added.