Ahead of Ondo State’s November 16 gubernatorial election, the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun has prohibited state-backed security groups, including Amotekun and other vigilante groups, from election security duties. According to the police, only federal agencies will secure the election, ensuring it adheres to guidelines that promote fairness and transparency. Specialized police units, including K-9, counter-terrorism, and marine teams, will be deployed for comprehensive ground and aerial monitoring, backed by gunboat patrols along the state’s waterways.
INEC will deploy over 15,500 trained ad hoc staff across 3,933 polling units, each supervised to ensure a smooth voting process. Meanwhile, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has mobilized 6,000 officers from Ondo and neighboring states to support election security and protect critical assets.
The police and NSCDC chiefs have issued strict warnings against election violence, promising legal repercussions for any disruptions. Both agencies are committed to a secure and peaceful election day, urging parents to discourage their children from engaging in political violence.
