By Ahmed Ajikobi
Security agencies in Kwara State which include the state Police Command, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the Nigeria Customs Service, yesterday, said last Saturday’s Presidential and National Assembly elections, held across the 16 local governments of the state were peaceful.
This was made known in separate interviews by our reporter with leaders of the security agents in Ilorin.
The Kwara State Police spokesperson, DSP Ajayi Okasanmi in his reaction, said the polls were successful and peaceful because the Police in collaboration with sister security agencies prepared for the exercise.
Okasanmi said no violence or any form of intimidation was recorded during the exercise.
“The security agencies performed wonderfully to make the elections free and fair process and we assure all Kwarans of security of lives and property during and after the gubernatorial election,” he said.
He however appreciated residents of the state for their orderliness during the last election urging them to repeat same on March 9.
Similarly, the NSCDC Commandant, Bello Ale said the poll to a large extent was hitch free and peaceful.
“The relative peace enjoyed across the state was not without the collaboration of security agencies.
“Although there were various attempts to frustrate the process by some political thugs, but the timely intervention of joint security team, provided the enabled environment for the process,” he said.
Also, the NDLEA state Commander, Ona Ogilegwu, said the security agencies in the state complemented one another in ensuring peace and stability in the state.
“We do not compete, rather we complement one another to sustain a good tempo, synergy and ensure impartiality.
“The election was rowdy, as people came out in large numbers to vote for the candidates of their choice. Once we were informed of any delay in accreditation as a result of the crowd, we moved to the area and solve the problem at once.
“Before the gubernatorial election, we would have re-strategised and mobilise ourselves to ensure that we are at almost all the polling unit to ensure faster and easier voting process,” he said.
He therefore pleaded with journalists to continue with fair dissemination of information, to prevent any problem or misunderstanding.
In his reaction, the Deputy Comptroller of Customs, Ilorin, Alhaji Umar Abu, said that he deployed 56 officers, in which three were stationed in each of the 16 local governments of the state and one supervisor in each senatorial district.
Abu said that he participated in the exercise alongside other security agencies under the chairmanship of the Commissioner of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.
“The Chikanda boarder was closed during the period as directed by the Federal Government, to prevent illegal importation of anything that can be of challenge to the election process, and it was reopened after the general election,” he said.
