By SCM Staff Writer I Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025
AWKA, Anambra – The Commissioner of Police in Anambra State, CP Ikioye Orutugu, has warned police personnel against interfering in or compromising professional ethics during the forthcoming Anambra State governorship election scheduled for November 8, 2025.
He also cautioned members of the Agunechemba local security outfit to stay away from election activities, emphasizing that election security is the statutory responsibility of the Nigeria Police Force.
CP Orutugu disclosed that the police will deploy drones to monitor the 2025 polls to ensure transparency and prevent any form of compromise.
According to him, during the November 8 governorship election, security operatives in collaboration with the Nigeria Police will monitor activities across the state through aerial surveillance.
The police commissioner made this known on Wednesday during an Election Sensitization Tour of police formations at the Nnewi Area Command.
He stressed that the police are not interested in who wins the election but are focused on ensuring a peaceful and transparent process.
“The police are not interested in which candidate or political party that wins the election. Our concern is to ensure a credible, transparent, and violence-free exercise,” CP Orutugu stated.
He warned officers and men of the Command against interference, compromise, or bias during the election process, in line with the directive of the Inspector-General of Police.
Any officer found culpable, he said, would face the full wrath of the law.
“The police remain totally neutral in this election. I warn all officers and men of the Command to discharge their duties without bias or sympathy for any candidate or political party,” he added.
On the use of technology, CP Orutugu explained that drones will play a critical role in monitoring electoral activities.
“We have perfected plans to use drones to monitor every polling unit, electoral ward, and collation center. In compliance with the directive of the Inspector-General of Police, there shall be zero tolerance for any act that could derail or compromise the process. Anyone found wanting will face the full weight of the law,” he warned.
The commissioner further stated that only security personnel duly accredited and authorized by law will be permitted to manage security formations during the election.
He cautioned that operatives not deployed for election duty have no business being around polling areas on election day.
Reflecting on past exercises, Orutugu noted the Command’s successful conduct of the bye-elections in the Anambra South Senatorial District and Onitsha North I Constituency.
“We tested our preparedness during the bye-elections in Anambra South and Onitsha North I, and the Command was not found wanting. I commend all officers who participated and believe we will perform even better this time,” he said.
CP Orutugu also commended members of the Agunechemba Security Squad for their cooperation with conventional security agencies in fighting insecurity, urging them to sustain their efforts in combating crimes.
“I am a strong believer in community policing, which can only succeed through collaboration with local vigilante groups in our towns and villages. The Agunechemba Security has been working in synergy with the police and other sister agencies, and I encourage them to continue in that spirit,” he noted.
Earlier, the Nnewi Area Commander, ACP Augustine Oyamiele, announced that police divisions under his command that were attacked during the EndSARS protest have been rebuilt and are now operational.
However, he lamented the shortage of operational vehicles, which, he said, continues to affect effective policing in the area.
“The aftermath of the EndSARS protest had a negative impact on police operations nationwide. All police stations under this Area Command were completely burnt down, and officers’ properties were looted. Thankfully, individuals within the Area Command have rebuilt these stations, and letters of appreciation have been issued to them by past Commissioners of Police,” ACP Oyamiele explained.
Similarly, the Chairman of the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC), Hon. Amaobi Okonkwo, expressed satisfaction with the cordial relationship between the Area Command, the PCRC, and the general public, promising to sustain the collaboration.
The President General of Nnewichi Village in Nnewi North Local Government Area, Engr. Sir Emma Chukwueloka, affirmed that the people of Nnewi are peace-loving and law-abiding.
He reiterated their commitment to supporting the police and other security agencies in maintaining peace and combating crime in the area.
Caption:
Anambra State Police commissioner CP Ikioye Orutugu (standing) the Nnewi Area Commander, ACP Augustine Oyamiele ( left) sitting down in Morfti
