By SULEIMAN SHEHU

The Commissioner of Police in Oyo State, Adebola Hamza, on Friday, said no fewer than 12,000 security personnel had been deployed for the local government election slated for Saturday in the state.

Hamzat stated this during a joint media briefing by heads of security agencies and Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission (OYSIEC) on their preparedness for the elections.

He said that the 12,000 personnel included: 8,000 policemen and 2,125 from other security agencies, excluding the military whose number he said would not be disclosed for security reasons.

Hamzat said that there would be restriction of vehicular movement from 6.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. in the state.

“Nobody, no matter how highly placed, should go to the poling units with any security aide.

“The use of siren or unauthorised number plates will not be tolerated,” he said.

The police commissioner further stated that all necessary measures had been put in place to ensure peaceful and credible elections.

He, therefore, urged residents not to entertain any fear.

Also speaking, the Commandant of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in the state, Augustine Padonu, assured of peaceful conduct of the election.

The OYSIEC Chairman, Mr Isiaka Olaguju, who confirmed the attack of a staffer of the commission at Okeho by hoodlums, said no materials were carted away and that no life was lost.

Olaguju reiterated the commission’s commitment to free, fair and credible elections, warning that any attempt to jeopardize the peaceful conduct of the exercise would not be tolerated.

He called on politicians to maintain peace and abide by the rules and regulations of the exercise.

“Any attempt to cause intimidation or harassment of voters would not be tolerated,” he said.

Olagunju stated that all the materials needed for the exercise had been transferred to various local governments in the state.

“We are prepared and ready to conduct a free, fair and credible election and to ensure that the in-coming local government chairmen are democratically elected,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that representatives of the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Air Force and Department of State Services were also present at the briefing. (NAN)