As part of sustained efforts to ensure a peaceful and credible governorship election in Anambra State, the Commissioner of Police, CP Ikioye Orutugu, fwc, minps, PhD, has visited the Aguata and Otuocha Area Commands to strengthen security coordination and community engagement ahead of the November 8, 2025, poll.
The visits formed part of ongoing security advocacy tours across the State aimed at preparing officers and stakeholders for an orderly and violence-free election.
Addressing officers during the sessions, CP Orutugu reiterated that the Nigeria Police Force remains an impartial and non-partisan institution. He stressed that the Police have no stake in who emerges winner or loser in the election but are committed to providing a secure environment for all participants.
“The Police do not have a preferred candidate. Our mandate is to safeguard democracy by ensuring that every citizen can vote and be voted for without intimidation or violence,” the Commissioner stated.
He charged Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers, Tactical Commanders, and field operatives to exhibit professionalism, discipline, and courtesy in the discharge of their duties.
According to him, officers must resist political pressure and maintain neutrality, especially as campaigns and political activities heighten across the State.
He urged personnel to be guided strictly by the Electoral Act, the Police Code of Conduct, and Standard Operational Procedures, warning that any breach of these guidelines would attract sanctions.
CP Orutugu emphasized that public confidence in the Police during elections depends on the conduct of officers on duty. He noted that professionalism and restraint were essential for credibility.
Beyond police formations, the Commissioner also held stakeholder meetings with Traditional Rulers, Religious Leaders, Town Union Executives, Youth and Women Organizations, as well as Local Vigilante Groups in both Area Commands.
The engagements focused on strengthening intelligence sharing and community vigilance to prevent electoral violence and maintain public peace.
During the discussions, CP Orutugu appealed to community leaders to discourage voter intimidation and inflammatory rhetoric that could incite unrest. He called for partnership between the Police and local structures to promote trust and early information flow.
While acknowledging the relative peace in Otuocha, the Commissioner commended the communities for embracing dialogue and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) as tools for conflict management.
He recalled that Otuocha and some surrounding areas had previously experienced communal disputes but said such tensions had reduced through consistent peace-building efforts.
The CP encouraged residents to establish internal peace committees to handle civil disagreements such as land disputes, stressing that such issues should not be misdirected to the Police as criminal matters.
He assured Ndi Anambra that comprehensive security deployments and intelligence monitoring mechanisms have been activated to guarantee safety before, during, and after the election.
According to him, tactical units, patrol teams, and response squads are already positioned across strategic points in the State to deter any form of violence or disruption.
CP Orutugu also appealed to political parties and candidates to play by the rules, cautioning against the use of hate speech, thuggery, or provocative actions capable of jeopardizing peace.
He maintained that the peace, unity, and stability of Anambra State are collective responsibilities that must take precedence over partisan ambitions.
The Police Commissioner assured residents that the Command will continue to engage communities and stakeholders until the conclusion of the electoral process to ensure sustained public confidence in law enforcement operations.
He reaffirmed that under his leadership, the Anambra State Police Command will remain focused on professionalism, integrity, and public safety as it discharges its constitutional duty during the 2025 Governorship Election.
