A total of 2016 police personnel have been deployed for Saturday’s Isoko North Local Government Area Constituency by-election.
The Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command, Ari Ali, disclosed this in a statement by the acting Police Public Relations Officer of the Command, DSP Edafe Bright, on Friday in Warri.
Ali said the personnel were expected to provide adequate security for the electorate and INEC officials.
He said they would also be at all the polling units and some identified hot spots in the local government.
The CP said that movement had been restricted around Isoko North Local Government effective from April 9 midnight till 4pm on Saturday.
The statement said: “Following the Isoko North Constituency by-election scheduled for Saturday, the CP has deployed 2016 personnel to provide security during the election.
“The CP assures residents of the command’s commitment to ensure adequate security for everyone throughout the voting period.
“Front runners in the bye-election should please caution their supporters and foot soldiers to refrain from causing chaos as such will not be tolerated.
“No Police aide or security agent will be allowed to escort their principals or any important personality to polling unit or on any movement while the bye-election lasts.
“Any security aide violating this directive will be arrested and made to face the full wrath of the law.”
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the by-election is for the vacant Delta State House of Assembly seat created by the death of Tim Owhefere.
Owhefere died on January 27 at the Federal Medical Centre, Asaba during a brief illness at the age of 57.