IGP Bans Vigilante, Amotekun from Participating in Ondo Election

As the Ondo State Gubernatorial Election approaches on November 16, 2024, Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun has pledged the Nigeria Police Force’s full commitment to ensuring a peaceful and orderly election across the state’s 18 Local Government Areas, 203 Wards, and 3,933 Polling Units.

To guarantee a smooth and secure election, the IGP has laid out extensive preparations, including the deployment of sufficient personnel, resources, and advanced equipment. Specialized units such as the Special Intervention Squad, Police Mobile Force (PMF), Counter-Terrorism Unit (CTU), Special Protection Unit (SPU), Explosive Ordinance Disposal Unit, K-9 Unit, Federal Investigation and Intelligence Response Team (FID-IRT), and Federal Intelligence and Security Task Force (FID-STS) will work alongside other security agencies. These teams will operate under strict adherence to the Electoral Act, 2022, with a commitment to fairness, transparency, and order.

Alongside on-ground personnel, the Nigeria Police Force will also implement aerial patrols using police helicopters and deploy gunboats to monitor waterways and riverine regions, ensuring security across diverse terrains. These comprehensive measures are intended to prevent any attempts to disrupt the electoral process and to support a stable election environment.

IGP Egbetokun has issued a strong warning to political thugs or any group contemplating violence or disruptions during the election period, emphasizing that violators will face legal consequences. The message is clear: any attempt to threaten the peace and security of the election will be dealt with strictly.

Moreover, the IGP reiterated the established security guidelines for Nigerian elections, declaring that no quasi-security organizations, including state-backed groups like Vigilante Corps or Amotekun, will be permitted to engage in the election process. Election security will be handled exclusively by the Nigeria Police Force and authorized federal security agencies, in coordination with the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES).

In partnership with other federal security agencies, the Nigeria Police Force remains vigilant and ready to ensure that the Ondo State Gubernatorial Election is conducted smoothly, securely, and in line with the highest standards of electoral integrity.