IGP Kayode Egbetokun
As the November 8 Anambra governorship election draws near, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has sent a strong message to political thugs—stay away from trouble or face the full weight of the law.
Speaking in Abuja on Tuesday during the dissemination of the Cleen Foundation’s 2025 Anambra Governorship Election Security Threat Assessment (STA), the IGP, represented by Acting Commissioner of Police Umar Hadejia from the Operations Department, emphasized that the nation’s security agencies are fully prepared to safeguard the integrity of the upcoming poll.
Egbetokun made it clear that any individual or group attempting to disrupt the election would be met with swift and decisive action.
> “We have made all the necessary arrangements to provide adequate security for INEC offices, election officials, observers—both local and international—as well as every law-abiding citizen,” he assured.
The police chief urged political parties, their candidates, and supporters to abide strictly by electoral laws and the peace accord already signed by all parties.
> “We remind political leaders that they have signed a peace accord and must respect it. Anyone who tries to cause chaos or breach the agreement will face the full force of the law,” he warned.
Egbetokun reaffirmed that security operatives have been strategically deployed to ensure that the election proceeds without incident.
In the same vein, the Commandant-General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Ahmed Audi—represented by the ACG of Operations, David Ojelabi—urged voters to maintain peace and cooperate with security agencies throughout the electoral process.
> “With the strength of our personnel and collaboration among security and intelligence agencies, we are confident that Anambra will witness a peaceful and violence-free election,” Audi stated.
He added that the NSCDC has been engaging stakeholders and training officers to ensure a coordinated and professional operation during the polls.
Mr. Salaudeen Hashim, Director of Programmes at Cleen Foundation, explained that the Security Threat Assessment aims to assist security agencies in refining their operational strategies and improving election safety.
According to him, while there has been “a slight shift in the threat landscape” compared to earlier assessments, the updated report highlights critical areas requiring proactive measures to prevent violence and ensure accountability.
> “Our findings show a high risk of pre-election violence, which calls for urgent steps to address potential flashpoints. Security concerns still pose the biggest challenge ahead of the Anambra 2025 election, largely due to public distrust in the neutrality of security personnel and gaps in coordination,” Hashim noted.
He recommended continuous retraining of security personnel on neutrality, de-escalation tactics, and human-rights-based policing. Hashim also urged security agencies to strengthen public complaint channels and maintain professionalism and transparency throughout the electoral process.
Furthermore, he appealed to the media to promote accurate reporting, combat misinformation, and exercise restraint to avoid inflaming tensions.
Hashim concluded by describing the 2025 Anambra governorship election as “a defining moment” for the state’s democracy, stressing that the conduct of both security agencies and the media will play a crucial role in determining the credibility of the poll.
(NAN)
