By Idowu Adebomi, Ado Ekiti
The Commissioner of Police in Ekiti State, CP Joseph Eribo, has assured residents that the command, in collaboration with sister security agencies, is fully prepared to safeguard peace and order before, during, and after the forthcoming governorship election scheduled for next year.
Speaking to journalists in Ado-Ekiti, Eribo warned individuals or groups with intentions to incite unrest to stay away from the state, stating unequivocally that the police will not tolerate any breach of the law that could disrupt the electoral process.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had, last month, released the timetable for the governorship poll, prompting a noticeable uptick in political activity across the state.
CP Eribo disclosed that security architecture has already been reinforced to prevent disturbances, adding that proactive steps are in place to deal with potential threats before they escalate.
“We are working in unison with all stakeholders to sustain the existing peace. The people of Ekiti have continued to demonstrate commendable cooperation with security agencies,” he said. “The state remains relatively calm due to the high level of civic awareness and responsible engagement from the public.”
He clarified that while the police remain apolitical, their priority is to ensure that no individual or group engages in any act that could undermine law and order.
“This is a single-state election, and as such, the Inspector General of Police (IGP) will be directly involved. He is expected to visit the state to provide clear directives on expectations and conduct,” Eribo stated.
He also revealed that joint security operations are ongoing, particularly in the border regions, where bush-combing exercises are being carried out to deter criminal elements and prevent kidnappings and attacks on rural communities.
Under his leadership, the Commissioner said the command has recorded notable successes in crime prevention and law enforcement.
“Peace in itself is a significant accomplishment. The fact that we currently enjoy a stable and secure environment in Ekiti is a credit to the efforts of the police and our partners,” he said. “With our bush-combing strategy, we are taking the offensive to the criminals. We are no longer waiting for them to strike on highways or in our communities.”
Eribo reaffirmed the command’s commitment to professionalism and neutrality throughout the election period and beyond, pledging to uphold the highest standards of security and public service.
