Anambra: IGP Deploys New Commissioner of Police Ahead of Polls
By Hajara Abdullahi
The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has deployed a new Commissioner of Police, Shogunle Abayomi, ahead of the forthcoming Anambra State governorship election scheduled for Saturday, November 8, 2025.
This was disclosed in a statement released by the spokesman of the Anambra State Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, and shared with Punch newspaper on Tuesday.
Ikenga explained that the deployment was to promote and enhance strategic security planning aimed at ensuring a peaceful, credible, and transparent election.
“The Anambra State Police Command today, November 4, 2025, announces the resumption of CP Abayomi Shogunle as the Commissioner of Police to take charge of policing in the state for the forthcoming Anambra State Governorship Election scheduled for Saturday, November 8, 2025,” the statement read in part.
It added that CP Shogunle’s posting aligns with the policing operational strategy approved by the IGP, designed to strengthen security operations toward achieving a credible electoral process in the state.
“Upon assumption of duty, CP Shogunle activated the IGP’s Enforcement Protocol for anti-electoral offences to ensure zero tolerance for ballot snatching, vote-buying, political thuggery, and voter intimidation. The CP has also reinforced the Electoral Offences Desk to monitor social media and online spaces to identify cyber-related electoral crimes for prompt investigation and prosecution,” the statement added.
The newly appointed commissioner has established a central command framework to enhance intelligence sharing and coordination. Over 60,000 security personnel from agencies under the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security have been deployed, with tactical reserves stationed to secure the 5,720 polling units, inter-LGA and state boundaries, as well as collation centers.
The CP also reaffirmed the ban on all vigilante groups, including Agunechemba, emphasizing that only federal government security agencies are authorized to provide election security as stipulated by law.
“Furthermore, VIP movements with armed escorts or security aides at polling or collation centers are strictly prohibited. Violators will face immediate arrest, withdrawal of such escorts, and prosecution. Only designated INEC officials, accredited observers, and journalists are permitted to move freely between designated areas,” the statement noted.
The statement concluded with CP Shogunle urging political actors, community leaders, and the electorate to cooperate with the police and other security agencies in maintaining peace before, during, and after the election.
The Commissioner of Police can be reached via 0809-600-0079.
