Bayelsa guber poll: Security beefed up as 14, 000 policemen arrive

NEDU MARK, Yenagoa

Ahead of Saturday, December 5’s governorship election in Bayelsa state, security has been beefed up in the streets of Yenagoa, the state capital as well as its environs with the arrival of a large contingent of policemen deployed to the state by the Inspector General of Police to check possible breakdown of law and order.

The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr. Solomon Arase, had Tuesday announced the deployment of 14,000 policemen to the state to monitor the polls both in the creeks and in the upland communities.

IGP also said three commissioners of police and deputy Inspectors General of Police would equally be deployed to the state to strengthen the men on ground.

Arase also warned officers and men of the command to conduct themselves professionally or risk sanction in the forth coming governorship election in the state.

The IGP also warned the men that ‘any misconduct could throw them out of the force and cause them to lose all the years they have put in the service.’

“I expect the highest standard from you. Don’t let anybody buy your conscience. Hold your own, I want you to be very professional.”

Following the deployment, over 25 trucks and pickup vans loaded with mobile policemen were seen entering Yenagoa, Wednesday evening between the hours of 5.30 pm.

Checks around the city of Yenagoa revealed that security agents have been deployed to strategy places like the Office of the National Independent Electoral Commission INEC and other sensitive areas.

Hotels and some public eatries in the city are now manned by policemen and other sister security agencies to prevent possible breach of peace and security.

Before the deployment of the policemen to Yenagoa by the IGP, the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of plans to arrest some of its leaders.