- 12,500 officers, 400 tactical units, others mobilised to Ondo State for the November 16 election
- Nigerians raised concerns about the prioritisation of resources, with some calling for increased focus on the northeast and northwest regions
- TheRadar compiled public reactions following the announcement below
Nigerians have raised concerns following the Nigeria Police Force's announcement of a large-scale deployment of security personnel for the upcoming Ondo State governorship election, scheduled for Saturday, November 16.
A letter dated November 7, 2024, signed by Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) Suleiman A. Yusuf on behalf of the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Department of Operations, outlined the mobilisation of a significant security presence across the state.
12,500 officers, 400 tactical units to secure Ondo election
The letter read, “The Inspector General of Police has directed that you adhere strictly to the number of personnel allocated to you and ensure all are physically present for deployment to designated areas, as contained in the attached appendix.
“Personnel from SIS will proceed to Akure on Monday 11/11/2024. EPM&E, PMF, SPU, CTU, IRT, STS, and TIU are to move on Tuesday 12/11/2024. While Conventional Police Personnel from Commands, Formations and others drawn from the specialised sections of the Force, are expected to arrive at their respective designated areas of deployment on Wednesday 13/11/2024 unfailingly.”
The deployment includes 12,500 conventional police officers, 400 tactical unit members, and 36 units of the Police Mobile Force (PMF), which will be stationed across the 18 local government areas in Ondo state.
In addition to the personnel, the force will deploy 110 vehicles, including 12 Armoured Personnel Carriers, five gun trucks, two water cannons, five lorry trucks, five buses, 75 patrol cars, one Razor vehicle, and four ambulances.
Aerial support will also be provided, with one helicopter and two unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for surveillance across the state’s three senatorial districts.
Furthermore, 20 gunboats, along with 80 personnel, will patrol riverine areas to enhance security along the state’s waterways.
The directive also includes the use of aerial patrols and gunboat operations to ensure the security of all terrains in the state during the election period.
Ondo election security sparks debate over resource allocation
The deployment has sparked a wider debate on the prioritisation of security efforts across the country amid growing threats in some parts of the nation.
While the police have emphasised the need for such a comprehensive deployment to safeguard the election process, many Nigerians argued that the deployment could be better focused on regions experiencing more severe insecurity, such as the northeast and northwest, where armed groups and banditry continue to threaten lives and property.
Nigerians react to significant police deployment to Ondo
TheRadar compiled public reactions below:
“How many have we deployed to combat Kidnapping and banditry in the last 5 years?” Isaac Olatunde stated.
“Just wondering if Boko haram are more than 12,000 men, I doubt it. So why not deploy the so called police to fight them,” Emmpatri reacted.
“They deploy where there is bribery money set aside for them to enforce the pre-plan rigging. Nigeria police is still in the format the British left them. They work on behalf of their pay masters to subjugate the citizens and not to serve nor protect them,” Ike-ume added.
“Can they replicate this in Sokoto? They are needed urgently also,” Hiikyaator reacted.
“12,900 police? Are they preparing for war? An election that the results have most likely been written in favour of the ruling party,” Julius stated.
“When can they deploy this level of troops and equipment to the terrorist-dominated North?” Ihuoma stated.
“Meanwhile terrorists are taking over local governments in Sokoto state. Dey play,” Agbalaka reacted.
“Just imagine this misplaced priority. You should be channelling this energy to Sambisa forest , going to fight terrorist and not attacking peaceful citizens who come to cast their vote in peace,” Gordonftb added.
#OndoDecides 2024: Meet the frontrunners for governorship election
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that as the 2024 governorship election in Ondo State nears, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) revealed the final list of candidates for the race.
TheRadar compiled the candidates for the election, scheduled to hold on Saturday 16th November 2024.