IGP Approves Comprehensive Security Plan for Ekiti Governorship Election

By Opeyemi Akinyemi, Ekiti

The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has approved a comprehensive operational order aimed at ensuring law and order and guaranteeing maximum security for the peaceful conduct of the forthcoming Ekiti State Governorship Election.

The operational plan is designed to provide a safe and secure environment before, during, and after the election through the deployment of adequate personnel and security resources across the state.

This was disclosed by the Commissioner of Police in charge of the Ekiti State 2026 Governorship Election, CP Abayomi Shogunle, while representing the Inspector-General of Police at a press briefing organised by the International Press Centre (IPC) in collaboration with the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN) in Ado-Ekiti.

Shogunle explained that the operational order is anchored on a multi-layered security framework carefully designed to address the peculiar security challenges of different communities across the state.

According to him, the strategy involves identifying potential threats in specific locations and deploying security personnel strategically to prevent any breach of peace.

He expressed confidence that the election would be conducted peacefully and without violence, noting that security agencies had already identified and addressed factors capable of causing unrest.

“With the security measures we have put in place, I am confident that this election will be violence-free and concluded without any major security breach. The potential factors that could trigger security challenges have already been identified and adequately addressed,” he stated.

The police commissioner further revealed that no major security incident had been recorded in the state over the last month, attributing the development to the successful implementation of the security framework, which has been in operation for about six weeks.

He assured residents that the arrangement would remain in force throughout the election period until the official announcement of results.

Shogunle also disclosed that security agencies have intensified surveillance at entry and exit points into Ekiti State, particularly along border communities adjoining Kwara and Kogi states, where security concerns have been reported in recent times.

He added that the proactive deployment strategy was informed by intelligence reports and a determination to prevent any disruption of the electoral process.

“As we speak, security personnel are monitoring all routes leading into Ekiti State, as well as movements out of the state, to ensure a safe and secure environment before, during, and after the election,” he said.

The commissioner also justified the restriction of vehicular movement on election day, describing it as a preventive measure aimed at stopping individuals with plans to disrupt the election from moving freely across the state.

“The restriction will remain in force until the exercise is concluded to ensure a peaceful, orderly and secure election,” he added.

Earlier, the Executive Director of the International Press Centre, Lanre Arogundade, said the organisation had engaged media practitioners assigned to cover the election, particularly those working in identified flashpoints across some local government areas.

He noted that the engagements were aimed at enhancing the safety of journalists while promoting professional and responsible election reporting.

Arogundade further stated that efforts were ongoing to combat misinformation and disinformation capable of undermining the credibility of the electoral process.

“We are also working round the clock to address issues of misinformation and disinformation that could undermine the credibility of the election. In addition, we remain deeply committed to promoting election security in its entirety, as a peaceful and credible electoral process is essential to democratic governance,” he said.

With security agencies, election stakeholders, and media organisations intensifying preparations, residents of Ekiti State have been urged to conduct themselves peacefully and participate responsibly in the democratic process to ensure a free, fair, and credible governorship election.

END.