“As I speak with you, the operation order is out, the deployment of our personnel are equally out and aside from that, the IGP has approved additional deployment to us from neighbouring states. I won’t reveal the number to you but it is significant and in thousands. He didn’t only give us the personnel, he also deployed equipment including anti-riot assets to add to what we have on ground in Lagos.

“We also brought together other federal security and safety agencies that are part of election security. We’ve had about two meetings in my office, outside the meeting that we had with the State Electoral Commission.

“In these meetings, we have detailed all areas to be covered and equally ensured that we have enough deployments to reach the nook and cranny of the state.

“Although there have been no issues so far, we are not leaving anything to chance, and that is why we are receiving more deployments from outside the state to ensure the required number stipulated by the election guidelines is met,” he said.

For riverine areas, CP Jimoh said Marine Police operatives had been mobilised to ensure proper patrol of the waterways and protection of coastal communities.

“We have riverine communities in urban and rural areas in Lagos. So, all these major areas have been properly taken care of. We are equally aware that over six million electorates have collected their PVCs and they are all encouraged to go out and cast their votes for candidates of their choice. Security is guaranteed for them.

“We are aware that there may not be problems before or during elections, and it could start post-election, and that is why our plan also runs for one week after the elections. We know that there will be celebrations and over-dramatisation of victory or losses, so we are equally prepared for that.

“So, we are good to go for the election. And we are very bold to let you know that the IGP and the state government have provided all that is needed from manpower to logistics to ensure that we police the election properly.

“This is what we have been doing over the years, and it shouldn’t be a surprise to us. Though it is equally of note that the local government election is the most contentious, because this is the election of the grassroots.

“We encourage the players, the stakeholders and others who are participating in the election to play the game according to the rules and be assured that we are here to secure everyone.”

Continuing, the CP said the control room at the command would be operational so that issues could be addressed in real time. (Nation)