CP Shogunle Takes Charge of Anambra Governorship Election, Activates Electoral Offences Desk

CP Abayomi Shogunle

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, has deployed Commissioner of Police (CP) Abayomi Shogunle to take charge of policing operations in Anambra State ahead of the forthcoming Anambra State Governorship Election, scheduled for Saturday, November 8.

Upon assumption of duty, CP Shogunle immediately activated the Electoral Offences Desk to monitor social media and online spaces in order to identify and address cyber-related electoral crimes for prompt investigation and prosecution.

This was disclosed in a statement issued on Tuesday by the Anambra State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Ikenga Tochukwu.

According to the PPRO, CP Shogunle’s deployment aligns with the policing operational strategy approved by the Inspector-General of Police, which is designed to enhance strategic security coordination and ensure a peaceful, credible, and transparent electoral process in the state.

SP Tochukwu explained that upon resumption, CP Shogunle activated the IGP’s Enforcement Protocol on Anti-Electoral Offences, demonstrating zero tolerance for electoral malpractices such as ballot snatching, vote-buying, political thuggery, and voter intimidation.

In addition, the CP has reinforced the Electoral Offences Monitoring Desk to intensify surveillance on both physical and virtual spaces, especially social media platforms, to promptly detect and prosecute cyber-related election offences.

To guarantee effective security coverage, CP Shogunle has established a central command framework to facilitate real-time intelligence sharing, inter-agency coordination, and rapid response during the election.

This includes the joint deployment of over 60,000 personnel drawn from various security agencies under the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES).

The deployment will cover all 5,720 polling units, with tactical reserves stationed along inter-LGA and state boundaries as well as at designated election collation centres.

The CP further reiterated the total ban on all vigilante groups, including Agunechemba and other quasi-security outfits, emphasizing that only federally recognized security agencies are authorized to perform election security duties as stipulated by Nigerian law.

He also cautioned that VIP movements with armed escorts or security aides at polling units or collation centres remain strictly prohibited.

Violators, he warned, will face immediate arrest, withdrawal of escorts, and prosecution. Only INEC officials, accredited observers, and journalists are permitted to move between designated election areas.

CP Shogunle urged political actors, community leaders, and the electorate to cooperate with the police and other security agencies to maintain peace, order, and public safety before, during, and after the election.

For inquiries or emergency contact, the Commissioner of Police, Anambra State, can be reached on 0809-600-0079.