By Izunna Okafor, Awka
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, PhD, NPM, has deployed CP Abayomi Shogunle, PhD, fsi, as the new Commissioner of Police to take charge of security operations in Anambra State ahead of the November 8, 2025 Governorship Election.
This development, announced in a press statement issued on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, by the Police Public Relations Officer of the Anambra State Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, is part of the Nigeria Police Force’s strategic operational plan to ensure a peaceful, credible, and transparent election in the State.
According to the statement, CP Shogunle’s posting is in line with the IGP’s operational strategy designed to strengthen security coordination and enhance the overall effectiveness of policing during the polls. Upon assuming duty, the new Commissioner immediately activated the IGP’s Enforcement Protocol for anti-electoral offences, targeting ballot snatching, vote-buying, voter intimidation, and political thuggery.
The PPRO further disclosed that CP Shogunle has reinforced the Command’s Electoral Offences Desk to closely monitor both physical and online spaces for electoral and cyber-related infractions, with a view to ensuring prompt investigation and prosecution of offenders.
To enhance coordination and intelligence sharing, the new Commissioner, it was gathered, has established a central command framework for real-time communication and rapid response. He will lead a joint deployment of over 60,000 personnel drawn from security agencies under the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES). These personnel are strategically positioned to secure the State’s 5,720 polling units, as well as inter-LGA boundaries, State borders, and designated collation centres.
According to the statement, CP Shogunle was also quoted as reaffirming the total ban on the involvement of vigilante groups or quasi-security outfits such as Agunechemba in election-related duties. He emphasized that only federal security agencies are authorized by law to provide election security coverage, warning that any breach of this directive will attract sanctions.
Furthermore, he prohibited VIP movements with armed escorts or security aides at polling units or collation centres, stating that any violator will face immediate arrest, withdrawal of escort privileges, and prosecution. He clarified that only INEC officials, accredited election observers, and journalists would be permitted unrestricted movement within designated election areas.
The Commissioner called on political actors, community leaders, and residents of the State to cooperate with the Police and other security agencies to maintain peace and order before, during, and after the election. He also assured the public of the Command’s commitment to providing a secure environment for the exercise.
The statement added that CP Shogunle can be reached directly through the Command’s official line at 0809-600-0079 for any election-related security concerns or reports.
SP Ikenga Tochukwu reaffirmed the Command’s readiness to ensure that the upcoming governorship election in Anambra State is peaceful, fair, and devoid of violence or intimidation.
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