The Ondo Commissioner of Police, Abayomi Oladipupo, has expressed the command’s readiness to ensure a secure and professional electoral process.
This assurance comes as the command concluded a two-day training session for officers, aimed at preparing them for the responsibilities that come with safeguarding the electoral environment.
The training, which took place on Tuesday and Wednesday at the Officers’ Mess in Akure, was part of an initiative led by Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun.
Speaking at the event, Oladipupo said, “This training programme is organised under the guidance of the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, in preparation for the upcoming off-cycle elections on November 16, 2024, in Ondo State. The Inspector General has initiated this programme to ensure that officers of all ranks across the state are well-prepared.”
He further explained that the training covered essential topics such as the statutory roles of the police during elections as outlined in the Electoral Act of 2022, alongside other critical aspects of human rights and everyday policing.
“This two-day programme will cover, in-depth, the statutory roles of the police during elections as defined in the Electoral Act of 2022. It will also emphasise human rights and other day-to-day policing responsibilities,” Oladipupo noted.
“They need to be clear about what is expected of them, what they must and must not do. There can be no excuse for failure. The eyes of the world are on Ondo State, and I am confident that our officers will perform their duties with professionalism and integrity.”
Oladipupo also highlighted that this training session builds on prior preparations, with earlier exercises conducted to further strengthen the officers’ readiness. “We’ve already held a training session two weeks ago, and this is just one of several programmes organised in anticipation of the elections,” he said.
Representing GTA Consulting Firm, which facilitated the training, Johnson Ategihe emphasised the need for well-prepared security personnel to ensure a peaceful election.
“There have been concerns about potential violence, but the Inspector General of Police has emphasised the importance of strengthening the capacity of officers to assure the public, voters, and all stakeholders of a level playing field,” Ategihe said.
He added, “Our goal is to create an environment where all stakeholders can participate equally and confidently, and where the election outcome is free from disturbances.”
