Asaba, – The Nigeria Police Force, Delta Command, says it has deployed 11,000 police personnel in the state ahead of the Governorship and House of Assembly elections billed for March 18.
Mr Moses Jitoboh, the Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIG) South-South, made this known at a news briefing on Thursday in Asaba.
He said the 11,000 personnel would be supported by another batch of 4,000 operatives from sister security agencies, like the NSCDC, Army, FRSC and the NIS.
“We are here for the March 18 governorship and state house of assembly elections and as we all know, security of lives and property is of outmost concern.
“Our mission and responsibility is to ensure that a peaceful and secured atmosphere prevails in Delta before, during and after the elections.
“We enjoin residents of the state to come out and exercise their civic responsibility without fear of intimidation and violence,” Jitoboh said.
The DIG said that all personnel for the election duty had been properly briefed on what was expected of them in the discharge of their duties.
On allegation of partisanship on the part of security agencies, Jitoboh said the police has a responsibility to serve the nation and not individual’s or group interest.
“As professionals, we are here to serve everybody, we are not assigned to any body, political party or interest.
“We will do our job diligently and I can assure you that the police will live up to its responsibilities,” he said. (NAN)