Adequate Measures in Place for Credible FCT Election — CP Dantawaye

By our Correspondent

The Nigeria Police Force has assured that comprehensive security measures have been put in place to safeguard facilities of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as well as election materials ahead of next month’s Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council elections.

The FCT Commissioner of Police, CP Miller Dantawaye, gave the assurance during a joint security meeting convened by INEC in preparation for the polls. He disclosed that a joint security situation room would be activated to monitor political activities ahead of the February 21 Area Council election.
According to CP Dantawaye, security agencies have been holding regular meetings as part of election preparations and have identified several flashpoints across the territory for strategic deployment of personnel.
He added that officers and men have undergone training to ensure a safe environment during political campaigns, rallies and other party activities, with the aim of maintaining peace throughout the FCT.
The police commissioner appealed to INEC to promptly share relevant information to enable security agencies respond swiftly to emergencies. He also emphasized the need for the commission to thoroughly test-run all its facilities to ensure they are fully functional, in order to prevent tension on election day.
Earlier, the FCT Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mallam Aminu Idris, explained that the meeting was aimed at guaranteeing a conducive environment for the conduct of the election across the 62 political wards in the territory.
Mallam Idris also informed security agencies that the collection of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) would commence tomorrow across the six Area Councils. He assured that INEC would work closely with security agencies to ensure watertight security before, during and after the elections.
Also speaking, the FCT Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Dr Olusola Odumosu, said the Corps had trained its officers to ensure an effective security network across the territory.