ANAMBRA DECIDES: Security agencies deploy over 60,000 personnel for guber poll
Expect no glitches, says INEC
ORIAKU IJELE & NKIRU NWAGBO
The governorship election scheduled for today, November 8, 2025, in Anambra State has prompted an extremely significant security operation. Given the state’s recent history of security concerns, including threats from non-state actors and the presence of numerous flashpoints across its 5,720 polling units, the deployment is a massive, multi-agency effort coordinated under the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES).
The overall security deployment for the Anambra gubernatorial election is a joint task force of over 60,000 security personnel drawn from various agencies. This large figure is specifically designed to cover all polling units, collation centers, and provide tactical reserves along inter-LGA and state boundaries. This strategic number aims to ensure at least one security agent for every polling unit, with robust backup in reserve.
The Daily Monitor, learnt that the 60,000+ figure is distributed across federal agencies with constitutional mandates for election security. While specific individual agency figures are often kept fluid for operational security, the deployment typically breaks down as follows:
Nigeria Police Force (NPF): As the lead agency for internal security, the NPF provides the largest contingent. The vast majority of the 60,000+ figure is composed of police officers, including specialized units like the Mobile Police (MOPOL) and tactical squads, tasked with securing polling units, protecting election materials and officials, and general law enforcement.
Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC): The NSCDC plays a crucial support role, contributing a substantial number of personnel. Their primary focus is on protecting Critical National Assets and Infrastructure, which include INEC offices and other election-related facilities, and augmenting police presence at polling centers.
Nigerian Armed Forces (Soldiers): Units from the Nigerian Army are deployed in a supportive, non-static role. They are positioned as quick-response teams in tactical reserve locations, particularly in vulnerable Local Government Areas (LGAs) like Ihiala, Nnewi South, and Aguata, to deter large-scale violence and assist civil authorities when needed.
Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC): The FRSC’s role is critical for logistics and free movement. Their personnel are primarily deployed to manage traffic, clear routes for the transportation of sensitive election materials, and respond to road emergencies to ensure the timely and safe conduct of the poll.
Smaller contingents from the Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), and National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) are also integrated into the security architecture for intelligence gathering, border control, and overall operational efficiency.
Meanwhile INEC has restated that the citizens of the state should participate massively in the election, promising that there would be no glitches. About 16 political parties are in the race for occupation of the government house in Awka.
