The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has said the police will not need the assistance of Amotekun, the South West security team in the November 16 Ondo governorship election.

He stated that comprehensive plans have been made to ensure a peaceful government poll in the state.

The spokesman of the force, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, in a statement issued on Sunday, said the IGP had ordered the strategic deployment of adequate personnel, resources and state-of-the-art equipment for the election.

Adejobi noted that officers from various specialized units including the Special Intervention Team, Police Mobile Force (PMF), Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU), Special Protection Unit (SPU), Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit, Unit K -9, the Federal Investigation and Intelligence Response Team (FID-IRT) and the Federal Intelligence and Security Task Force (FID-STS) are working with other security agencies to ensure order during voting.

According to him, the officers will strictly follow the guidelines of the Electoral Act 2022 to ensure fairness and transparency.

“In addition to ground personnel, aerial patrols will be carried out by police helicopters, while gunboats will patrol the waterways and riverine areas of the state to ensure security in all terrains.

“These comprehensive measures will serve as a deterrent to any attempt to disrupt the electoral process and enhance the overall stability of the elections.

“The IGP has also issued a stern warning to political thugs and any persons or groups who may contemplate acts of violence or disruption before, during or after the elections: they will face the full force of the law.

“The message is clear – those who try to endanger the peace and security of the state will not go unpunished,” he said.

Image maker Force added that the IGP reaffirmed the established guidelines governing the management of electoral security in Nigeria, stressing that no quasi-security organization, including state-backed groups such as Vigilante Corps or Amotekun, would be allowed to participate in the electoral process.