Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun has ordered massive security deployments ahead of Saturday’s by-elections scheduled to take place in several parts of the country.
In a statement issued by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Muyiwa Adejobi, the IGP confirmed that senior officers, including Assistant Inspectors-General and Commissioners of Police, have been mobilized to support state commands. Tactical units such as the Police Mobile Force, Special Intervention Squad, and Force Intelligence Department will also be on ground to maintain order and ensure free and fair polls.
The elections, set for August 16, 2025, will hold in Jigawa, Edo, Ogun, Oyo, Adamawa, Anambra, Kaduna, Kano, Taraba, Kogi, Niger, Enugu, and Zamfara states. To enhance security, vehicular movement within affected local government areas will be restricted from midnight until 6 p.m. on election day, with exemptions only for essential services.
The IGP also reaffirmed the ban on VIP escorts and security aides at polling units and collation centres. Similarly, state-owned or private security outfits are barred from participating in election security operations.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) disclosed that the by-elections would cover 16 constituencies in 12 states, including two senatorial districts, five federal constituencies, and nine state constituencies. Some of the polls follow resignations or deaths of sitting lawmakers, while others are reruns ordered by courts in Kano and Enugu.
INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, assured that all logistics were in place. According to him, non-sensitive materials had already been distributed, while sensitive election materials were scheduled for final delivery on Friday. The Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) has also been fully configured for the exercise.
Olumekun reminded political parties and candidates that campaign activities officially ended at midnight on Thursday, August 14.
