Anambra Election: DIG Okolo Explains Why Police Didn’t Arrest Alleged Vote-Buyers

The recently concluded Anambra State governorship election has been described as one of the most peaceful in recent history, thanks to an extensive technology-driven security operation coordinated by the Nigeria Police Force.

Three days before the election, the Anambra State Police Command headquarters in Awka turned into a fortress as thousands of officers, fully kitted and ready for deployment, filled the premises surrounded by armoured vehicles, bomb detectors, and other advanced equipment. Acting on directives from the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of the election, Benjamin Okolo, led top officers from different police units to ensure a secure and credible exercise across all 21 local government areas of the state.

Checkpoints were established across highways, armoured personnel carriers were strategically stationed, and tactical teams maintained visibility in major towns. The Commissioner of Police in Anambra, Ikioye Orutugu, had earlier conducted clearance operations in flashpoint areas, which significantly reduced potential threats. DIG Okolo commended these proactive measures, noting that locations previously identified as volatile, such as Ihiala — once a hotspot for IPOB activity — remained calm. He said the success there was largely due to pre-election clearance operations that helped stabilize the environment.

The police airwing, under CP Martin Nwogoh, maintained dominance over the skies with helicopters flying low over cities and rural areas, while drones were deployed for surveillance and real-time monitoring. According to Nwogoh, the goal was to reassure citizens and deter potential offenders. Ground patrols complemented the air operations, and from Okija to Ihiala, Onitsha to Aguleri, and other towns, patrol teams maintained a strong presence throughout the voting process, ensuring voters could cast their ballots without fear.

DIG Okolo explained that security operations were structured in phases, beginning with the movement of election materials, through polling, and concluding with collation at INEC centers. He confirmed that security coverage would continue even after the election until directed otherwise by the IGP. He also stated that there were no reports of misconduct from any officer during the exercise, noting that the police, military, and other agencies acted professionally throughout.

Addressing public concern over alleged vote-buying, DIG Okolo clarified that the issue falls primarily under the jurisdiction of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). “I am not sure it is under our direct policy. The EFCC is responsible for financial offenses. So far, no arrests were made by the police in relation to vote-buying,” he said. “However, we are still collecting reports from all local governments for a comprehensive review.”

Residents across Awka and other towns expressed satisfaction with the level of security during the election. A food vendor near one of the polling booths said, “Nobody wanted trouble. We voted for APGA because it’s our party.” Similarly, a youth leader, Tony Agu, praised the peaceful process, saying, “We in Anambra followed the example of our leader, the late Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu. We voted for APGA, not individuals.”

In total, 27 Commissioners of Police, alongside their deputies and assistant commissioners, were deployed to supervise all local governments, INEC facilities, and other strategic points. The coordination among these officers, backed by modern surveillance and rapid response systems, ensured that the election was peaceful and credible. DIG Okolo described the operation as a model for future elections, emphasizing that the success in Anambra demonstrated the effectiveness of modern policing and inter-agency collaboration.