The Nigerian government has challenged the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) over the group’ s threat not to hold the gubernatorial elections in Anambra state on November 6.
IPOB said the elections would not take place unless its detained leader, Nnamdi Kanu, was unconditionally released before November 4.
Kanu was arrested by the Department of State Services (DSS) after being transferred from Kenya to Nigeria by the government led by Muhammadu Buhari. The group had also said there would be a seven- day shutdown of the southeast area known as a sit- at- house protest.
He had also warned residents of the area not to ignore the upcoming sit- at- home policy. However, before the elections, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Usman Baba ordered no less than 100 high- ranking police officers to coordinate the provision of adequate security in the state.
Senior officers deployed to Anambra include two Police Deputy Inspectors General, five Police Deputy Inspectors General, 14 Police Commissioners, 31 Deputy Police Commissioners and 48 Anambra Deputy Police Commissioners. A statement from the Force’ s Public Relations Officer, Frank Mba, indicated that the officers are led by Joseph Egbunike, the DIG responsible for the Force’ s Criminal Investigation Department (FCID).
Egbunike headed the committee that investigated allegations against the suspended commander of IGP’ s Intelligence Response Team that he had made shady deals with self- confessed internet con artist Abass Ramon aka Hushpuppi.
The Force PRO said Egbunike will oversee the implementation of Operation Order, which emerged from the assessment of security threats in elections, in order to ensure peace and allow citizens to fulfill their civic responsibilities without harassment.
He added that Egbunike is supported by the DIG responsible for operations, Deputy DIG Zaki Ahmed. The statement added, ” Senior officers must coordinate human and other operational assignments in the three (3) Senate counties, twenty- one (21) local government areas and the 5, 720 electoral units in the state of Anambra. “
GORILLA EXPRESS MEDIA 