Police beef up security for Kaduna Bauchi elections 

Police beef up security for Kaduna Bauchi elections 

In an effort to forestall the breakdown of law and order, armed security personnel on Thursday in Kaduna and Bauchi took over major highways and exit routes across the states to beef up security.

Security personnel drafted from the police, army, NSCDC and the FRSC mounted security checkpoints on the highways.

The measures became visible following the commencement of voting in polling units across Kaduna.

As voting commenced at about noon, more security personnel were drafted to high security flash points to maintain order.

Heavy presence of armed mobile policemen were seen patrolling places like Sabo Tasha, udun Wada, Rigassa and other security flash points in Kaduna metropolis, the state of Nigeri’s Vice President, Namadi Sambo.

 Security officials maintained surveillance on the highways stopped vehicles and thoroughly searched them.

In some polling units in the states, the security personnel outnumbered the actual voters.

Intimidating presence

At the polling unit, where Vice President Namadi Sambo got accreditation, security operatives cordoned off the whole road.

A voter at Narayi Polling unit, Allen Yakubu, complained that the heavy presence of soldiers at the polling units was intimidating the voters.

He said some of the soldiers were dispersing voters, who completed accreditation and were waiting for the actual polls.

Ensuring law and order

One of the soldiers, however, told NAN that they were there to maintain law and order for the overall interest of the country.

“We are merely carrying out orders for the common good of all,'' he said

Post election violence

Kaduna and Bauchi states witnessed political turbulence following the declaration of presidential poll results in the state.

Kaduna State Police Command had on Thursday assured people in the state that the command would ensure security of lives and property during the elections.

The Commissioner of Police, Haruna John said about 20,000 policemen were deployed to the state to provide security to students who sat for the WAEC and the electorate.  

NAN/Williams