ANAMBRA 2018: Police, others battle ready as IPOB threatens voters

Following the ‘vote and die’ threats by the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to Anambra electorates ahead of the November 18 governorship election in the state, the Police has warned the group to stare clear of the poll as it will be on ground to curtail any untoward activity.

It was also learnt that the 82 Division of the Nigerian Army and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) have expressed readiness to ensure the election is conducted without any hindrances.

These developments are coming as IPOB members had on Friday in a video on social media marched around some streets in Onitsha, Anambra State.

A group of IPOB members were heard during the march threatening electorates in the state to stare clear of the election or face dire consequences.

In the video, they could be heard saying, “If you vote you will die”. “Don’t go out, stay in your house”. “If you vote on November 18, you will die”. “There will be no election. We will not participate, we will not vote”. “Nothing concerns us with any election. We are formidable.”

“We are in Onitsha to tell the Federal Government to produce Kanu. They should release all the Biafrans in Nigerian prisons”.

In its reaction, Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Anambra State Police Command, Nkeiruka Nwode, urged electorate in the state to go out and vote en masse and not bother themselves with the empty threats of the proscribed IPOB group.

According to her, the state police had already finalized plans on how to efficiently police the state during the election to ensure there was no breakdown of law and order.

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Also speaking on the Anambra election, Nigerian Police spokesman, Jimoh Moshood, also reiterated the readiness of the force to ensure the election is conducted smoothly and peacefully.

He said enough police personnel had already been deployed in the state and that they are ready to deal with anyone or group of persons who fails to behave themselves during the poll.

There are also reports that the 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, covering the South-East region, has instructed its troops to be on the alert to ensure no security breach is recorded during the Anambra governorship election.

Also not left out in efforts to ensure that the threats by IPOB amounts to nothing is the NSCDC, which had announced that it was deploying 5,000 of its men for the election.

 

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