Police Boss Speaks Tough As Anambra Heads To The Polls

Ahead of the 2025 Anambra State governorship election, the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has issued a stern warning to criminal elements planning to disrupt the exercise, insisting that security agencies will fully enforce the law.

Represented by the Acting Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations at the Force Headquarters, CP Umar Hadejia, the IGP spoke on Tuesday during the dissemination meeting on the Election Security Threat Assessment in Abuja.

Hadejia said any individual or group plotting to cause unrest during the election should “leave Anambra now,” stressing that security agencies would not hesitate to arrest and prosecute offenders.

“To the criminal element, I would say that it is better for them to leave Anambra. We are going to use the full rights of the law to ensure that anybody trying to cause trouble during the election will be arrested, investigated and possibly prosecuted,” he said.

He assured residents that adequate security measures were already in place, including the deployment of personnel and the activation of emergency lines.

According to him, citizens can report threats or suspicious activity through the toll-free number 933, available on all networks.

“All law-abiding citizens should not fear anything. We are going to provide security to them. Our men will stand by to respond to any distress. I assure you that with the arrangement we have made, this election will be incident-free,” he said.

The IG also cautioned political actors and party leaders to conduct themselves responsibly, stating that security agencies will not tolerate incitement or actions capable of undermining the process.

“For party leaders, they are advised to play by the rules. Otherwise, they will be arrested, investigated and possibly prosecuted,” he declared.

On concerns about unprofessional conduct by security operatives during elections, Hadejia noted that officers receive pre-deployment briefings and operate under strict rules of engagement. Any misuse of firearms, he emphasised, will attract sanctions.

“Any person who misuses arms or commits an offence will be held liable and likely prosecuted,” he added.

The Director of Programmes at CLEEN Foundation, Salaudeen Hashim, said ongoing assessments show improved stability in Anambra, but stressed that security agencies and stakeholders must remain proactive.

He said, “There might be some level of stability because of recent interventions.
“But security threats do not select victims. All responsible actors must act within the short window available.”

Hashim assured that the election would be peaceful but warned that this was not an excuse for complacency.

“There will be peace, but it does not give security agencies the opportunity to sleep on their oars,” he stated.

The governorship election is scheduled to hold on Saturday, November 8, 2025.

INEC has cleared 2,802,790 registered voters to participate in the poll.

The commission also confirmed that 16 political parties will field candidates out of the 19 registered parties in the state.

With the police issuing strong deterrent warnings and civil society pushing for sustained vigilance, stakeholders are hopeful that the Anambra governorship election will be peaceful and credible.

PUNCH