In Enugu, we require 13,000 security personnel to protect elections from ramming gunmen- INEC

Prior to the presidential election on February 25, the deployment of non-sensitive materials had begun.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) estimates that 13,000 additional security officers are needed for the general elections in Enugu State due to the escalating unrest in the South East.

Dr. Chukwuemeka Chukwu, the resident electoral commissioner in the state of Enugu, said this in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria on Monday.

According to Chukwu, security officers would be placed in 4,145 polling places, 260 Registration Area Centers, and collation centers throughout the state’s 17 councils.

The Inter-agency Consultation Committee on Election Security is working to mobilize and deploy the necessary number of security personnel to ensure trouble-free elections in the state, according to the REC, which acknowledged that security had been stepped up at the commission’s local government offices.

He said that non-sensitive items had started to be deployed in advance of the presidential election on February 25.

“We are working ahead of the commission’s schedule and making sure that all INEC timelines in the state are implemented practically and proactive.

“To ensure safe, secure, free, fair, and credible elections in Enugu state, we have continued to meet often and communicate with stakeholders.

With the help of technology, “we are prepared to make sure that the 2023 elections will be the finest in the state,” he declared.

In several local government areas of Enugu State and elsewhere in the South East, hoodlums referred to as “unknown gunmen” had been attacking and setting fire to INEC offices, according to reports.

The Indigenous People of Biafra have received the most blame from security authorities, despite the fact that they have denied responsibility.