With the Edo State governorship election approaching on September 21, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun has declared that quasi-security outfits will be prohibited from participating in the election’s security arrangements.
Egbetokun made this announcement during the Edo Election Security Townhall, organized by Channels Television, the Kimpact Development Initiative, and the UK International Development.
The IGP emphasized that only police and authorized security agencies will be deployed to maintain order during the election.
He warned that any individual carrying weapons on election day would face immediate arrest and be treated as an armed criminal. Egbetokun assured the public of a fair and secure election process.
Deputy Inspector General of Police Frank Mba supported Egbetokun’s statement, noting that by convention and the Electoral Act, vigilantes and quasi-security organizations are not permitted to be involved in elections.
According to Channels Television, the ban includes the Edo State Security Network and other similar outfits.
The announcement comes amid heightened political tension in Edo State, with 95 cases of violence, including 35 electoral violence incidents, reported since January.
The upcoming election is seen as a contest among three major candidates: Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and Olumide Akpata of the Labour Party (LP).
Over 2.6 million registered voters will participate in selecting the next governor of the state, which is one of eight states with off-season governorship elections due to legal challenges.
