#AnambraDecides2021: Despite deploying over 34,000 personnel, security agencies absent at most polling units

The absence of security agencies in most polling units across Anambra State were noticed as electorates troop out to elect a new governor today.

The guber poll slated for November 6 was threatened over the initial but now-cancelled sit-at-home directive of pro-Biafra group, IPOB. The Inspector General of Police (IGP) Usman Baba, while responding to the threat deployed over 34,000 police personnel to man the over 5,000 polling units across the state.

As the police deployment, the Nigerian Army, State Security Service (SSS) and civil defence also deployed thousands of its personnel to ensure electorates exercise their franchise.

But in most of the over polling units, security agencies were absent despite the presence of electoral officials which have commenced accreditation and voting.

In Njikoka, police personnel which were at local government council headquarters were heard murmuring that they are yet to receive their feeding allowances. TODAY POLITICS also learnt that the scarcity of vehicles hampered their deployment.

At a polling unit in Onitsha North, a police officer appears unwilling to provide security should political thugs attempt to hijack ballot boxes.

“When those boys come, abeg get on your feet and run o,” the officer was heard telling election observers while glancing through the pages of Vanguard Newspapers.