Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, has charged personnel deployed for the Edo governorship election scheduled for Sept. 28 to adhere strictly to the rules of engagement.

Idris also charged the officers and men to conduct themselves in the best professional manner, maintaining apolitical disposition.

According to him, the revised election security operation plan will guarantee free, fair and credible election, secure electoral process, and enable eligible voters to exercise their franchise freely and voluntary.

He promised that the protection of lives and property in the entire state would be of paramount importance, saying the police would be firm and decisive in dealing with any infractions of the law, actions and activities that constitute breach of peace and contrary to public order.

Idris said for the avoidance of doubt, the police would mobilise and deploy adequate resources and personnel to prosecute the election conclusively, saying twenty thousand personnel earlier deployed for the election would be retained to achieve the expected outcome of credible election acceptable to all stakeholders.

According to him, the Police Mobile Force, the Counter Terrorism Unit, the Explosive Ordinance Disposal, the Special Protection Unit, the Force Animal Branch, the Police Air Wing and the Marine Police Unit would be involved in the poll.

He said this would be in addition to the deployment by other agencies to ensure a robust security template for the election, saying police helicopters, gun boats, armoured personnel carriers, police dogs and technical platforms will be deployed.

Idris advised the people of Edo to remain law abiding and warned them to refrain from any action that could jeopardise the peace and security in the state, saying the force on its part would discharge its statutory functions effectively, unbiased and in accordance with the principles of democratic policing.

He directed the commissioner of police in Edo to enforce the restriction of vehicular movement from midnight on September twenty-seven to six in the evening wednesday except for those on essential duties.

The election earlier scheduled for September ten was postponed following security concerns raised by the police and the Department of State Services.