By Tochukwu Ikenga
As part of ongoing security engagements ahead of the November 8, Governorship Election in Anambra State, the Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Command, CP Ikioye Orutugu, has visited Aguata and Otuocha Area Commands to interface with security stakeholders and officers and men of the Command serving
In the areas.Speaking during the interactive sessions, the Commissioner reiterated that the Nigeria Police Force remains a strictly neutral and non-partisan institution.
He stressed that the Police is not interested in who wins or loses the election, but is firmly committed to ensuring that the electoral process is peaceful, credible, secure and free of violence before, during and after the polls.
CP Orutugu charged Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers (DPOs), Tactical Commanders and operational teams to demonstrate professionalism, discipline, courtesy and firmness, especially as political activities intensify.
He emphasized that officers must remain apolitical and guided strictly by the Electoral Act, the Police Code of Conduct and Standard Operational Procedures.
The CP also held stakeholder engagements involving Traditional Rulers, Religious Leaders, Town Union Executives, Youth and Women Organizations, Local Vigilante Groups and other Community Security Structures.
The dialogue focused on strengthening local intelligence sharing, discouraging voter intimidation, countering electoral violence, and promoting peaceful civic participation.
While acknowledging the relative calm in Otuocha, the CP commended communities in the Area for adopting dialogue and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) over communal clashes that historically occurred in the area.
He encouraged communities to constitute internal peace committees to resolve civil land-related disagreements, noting that such matters are civil in nature and should not be misdirected to the Police as criminal cases.
To this end, the Police Commissioner urged Ndi Anambra to go about their lawful political activities without fear, assuring that adequate deployments, intelligence monitoring and response units are already activated to secure the State during the election period.
He also called on political actors and community members to avoid inflammatory actions or statements capable of destabilizing the peace currently enjoyed in the State.Orutugu emphasized that the peace, unity and collective stability of Anambra State remain paramount and above partisan interests.
