Cynthia Ezegwu
The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has deployed Commissioner of Police Abayomi Shogunle to take charge of policing operations in Anambra State ahead of the November 8, 2025, governorship election.
The posting, according to a statement on Tuesday by the state police spokesman, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, is part of the police’s strategic plan to ensure a peaceful, credible, and transparent electoral process.
Ikenga said, “CP Shogunle’s posting is in line with the operational strategy approved by the Inspector-General of Police to strengthen security coordination and election monitoring across the state.”
Upon assumption of duty, Shogunle activated the IGP’s enforcement protocol against electoral offences, warning against ballot snatching, vote-buying, political thuggery, and voter intimidation. He also directed the activation of the Electoral Offences Desk to monitor social media and online activities for election-related crimes.
According to the statement, over 60,000 security personnel from various agencies under the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security have been deployed to man the 5,720 polling units, with tactical reserves positioned along local government and state boundaries.
The police command also reiterated the ban on vigilante and quasi-security groups such as Agunechemba from participating in election security operations, stressing that only federal security agencies are authorised for such duties.
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“VIP movements with armed escorts or aides at polling or collation centres are strictly prohibited. Violators will face arrest, withdrawal of security escorts, and prosecution,” the statement added.
The police urged political parties, candidates, and voters to cooperate with security agencies to ensure a peaceful and credible election.
Sixteen candidates are contesting the poll to unseat the incumbent governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).