In preparation for Saturday’s by-elections across various parts of Nigeria, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has ordered the deployment of senior officers to ensure the elections are conducted peacefully and without disruption.
Assistant Inspectors-General of Police (AIGs) and Commissioners of Police (CPs) have been assigned to the affected states to support and supervise security arrangements alongside state police commissioners. Additional personnel from tactical units—including the Police Mobile Force, Special Intervention Squad, and Force Intelligence Department—are also being deployed.
The 13 states involved in the exercise include Jigawa, Edo, Ogun, Oyo, Adamawa, Anambra, Kaduna, Kano, Taraba, Kogi, Niger, Enugu, and Zamfara.
According to a statement issued by Force Public Relations Officer Olumuyiwa Ogunjobi, the deployments aim to create a secure environment for free, fair, and credible elections. The IGP has also directed the restriction of all forms of vehicular movement from 12 a.m. to 6 p.m. on election day within the affected local government areas. Exemptions apply only to essential service providers, including INEC officials, accredited media personnel, election observers, ambulances, and firefighters.
The police chief also emphasized a ban on security escorts accompanying VIPs and politicians to polling units or collation centres. Additionally, all state-owned or private security outfits are barred from participating in election security duties.
The IGP called on all police officers deployed for election duty to strictly adhere to the Nigeria Police Force's election operational guidelines. He also appealed to citizens to remain peaceful and law-abiding during and after the electoral process, assuring that all necessary security measures have been put in place to safeguard the electorate’s right to vote.
Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has confirmed that by-elections will take place in 16 constituencies across 12 states, including two senatorial districts in Anambra and Edo, five federal constituencies in Edo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Ogun, and Oyo, and nine state constituencies in Adamawa, Anambra, Kaduna, Kano, Kogi, Niger, Taraba, and Zamfara.
The by-elections are being held due to resignations or deaths of sitting lawmakers, while court-ordered re-run elections will also take place in Enugu South 1 State Constituency (Anambra State) and Ghari/Tsanyawa State Constituency (Kano State).
INEC stated that all non-sensitive materials have already been distributed, while sensitive materials will be delivered on schedule. The commission also confirmed that election technologies, including the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), have been configured, and logistics, training, and security arrangements are complete.
Political campaigns officially ended at midnight on Thursday, August 14, 2025.
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