Imo Poll - Police Deploy 10,000 Men

The inspector-general of police, Mr. Hafiz Ringim, has deployed over 10,000 policemen and women for today's supplementary poll holding in four local government areas in Imo State.

The areas where election would hold are Ngor-Okpala, Oguta, Mbaitoli, Ohaji-Egbema and Orji ward in Owerri North LGA.

Addressing journalists yesterday in Owerri, the capital of Imo State, the representative of the IG and deputy inspector-general in charge of the South East, Mrs. Ivy Okoronkwo, flanked by AIG zone 9, Mr. Mike Abass and two other commissioners of police, said the number is made up of anti- riot personnel, anti-terrorism squad (ATS), conventional policemen and anti-bomb squad.

She disclosed that sister security agencies would also provide a good number of their men to complement the efforts of the police.

DIG Okoronkwo, who is also in-charge of the security for the election, assured that adequate measures have been taken to ensure a secure, free and fair supplementary election in the state.

She listed the measures to include restriction of vehicular movements on Thursday from 10pm to 6am and today from 8am to 10pm, though it excluded those on essential services and other duties relating to the conduct of the elections. Political office holders were barred from visiting polling stations accompanied by their security aides. They would also not be allowed the use of vehicles with tinted glasses, covered plate numbers and provocative inscription or slogan.