IPOB: We Need 13,000 Security Personnel for Elections to Hold in Enugu – INEC

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, says it requires no fewer than 13,000 security personnel for the general elections in Enugu State.

The armed unit of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra,  IPOB, had carried out several attacks on INEC facilities in the state.

Dr Chukwuemeka Chukwu, the Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, in the state disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria on Monday in Enugu.

INEC has fixed Saturday, February 25, for Presidential and National Assembly elections and March 11, for Governorship and State Assembly elections.

Mr Chukwu said that the Inter-agency Consultation Committee on Election Security was working to mobilise and deploy the required number of security personnel to ensure hitch-free elections in the state.

He said that the security personnel would be deployed to the 4,145 polling units, 260 Registration Area Centres and collation centres across the 17 council areas in the state.

The REC revealed that security had been beefed up at local government offices of the commission, adding that  deployment of non-sensitive materials had commenced ahead of the elections.

“We are working ahead of the commission’s schedule and ensuring practical proactive implementation of all timelines of INEC in the state.

“We have continued to have constant meetings and engagement with stakeholders to ensure secured, free, fair and credible elections in Enugu state.

“We are ready to ensure that 2023 elections will be the best in the state especially with the use of technology,” he said.