The Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of the police contingent for the Edo State governorship election, DIG Frank Mba, has said the Edo State Police Command has raided black spots ahead of the September 21 poll.
Mba said this at a news briefing on Wednesday in Benin, shortly after addressing the police personnel deployed for the poll.
He said that the raid was carried out by the command with the support of visiting officers and that some miscreants were being detained.
According to him, the exercise became necessary to rid the state of miscreants and ensure a hitch free election.
Mba said the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, had deployed adequately for the election, adding that they would work with other sister security agencies to provide security during the election.
He said: “Like the IGP has already briefed Nigerians, the police will be deploying adequately for the Edo election.
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“What we have done today is to hold a meeting with the strategic commanders, DPOs, Area Commanders, Deputy Commissioners of Police and Commissioner of Police, who are saddled with the task of providing leadership and supervision at the various levels.
“Our task is to provide a peaceful atmosphere for the conduct of a free, fair and credible election.
“We are working with sister agencies as we cannot work in isolation.
“The state shares a border with Kogi, Delta, Ondo and Anambra so the security will be adequately done.
“The Army will man these border areas that are far away while the Navy will also provide security on the waterways.
“Other security organisations will also work with us during the election.”
Mba also said the police had provided a dedicated phone line – 07025000383 – for the public to report any breach of the peace.
He added: “This phone number will be with me and if for operational reasons it is not with me, it will be with my personal assistant.
“The state command as supported by visiting officers have been conducting very specialised operations.
“They have been conducting raids at known criminal hideouts.
“Most of the raids they have are target-oriented, intelligence-driven and they are targeted at isolating criminal elements in the state while some have been detained.
“The raid continues as we are ready to provide adequate security during this election.”
