By Muhammad Mamman
The Commissioner of Police in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Benneth Igweh Dantawaye, has assured residents of robust security arrangements ahead of the forthcoming area council elections, declaring that law enforcement agencies have “deployed massively” to guarantee a peaceful and credible exercise.
Speaking in Abuja on the eve of the polls, Dantawaye said the Nigeria Police Force, in collaboration with other security agencies, had mapped out strategic deployments across all six area councils of the FCT to forestall any breakdown of law and order.
“We have deployed massively across the territory. Our officers are on ground, and we are fully prepared to secure the electoral process,” the police chief said. “Residents should go about their civic duties without fear.”
The FCT comprises six area councils — Abuja Municipal Area Council, Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kuje, Abaji and Kwali — where voters are expected to elect chairpersons and councillors.
Dantawaye warned political actors and their supporters against any attempt to disrupt the electoral process, stressing that security personnel would respond decisively to acts of violence, vote-buying, or intimidation.
“We will not tolerate thuggery, ballot snatching, or any form of electoral malpractice. Anyone found wanting will face the full weight of the law,” he said.
The police commissioner also disclosed that intelligence units had been activated to monitor flashpoints and ensure swift intervention where necessary. Patrol teams, rapid response squads and plainclothes officers have been strategically positioned, he added.
Residents have been urged to cooperate with security operatives and report suspicious activities through established communication channels.
The FCT council polls are considered a key test of grassroots democracy in the nation’s capital, with political parties intensifying campaigns in recent weeks. Authorities say the heavy deployment underscores the government’s commitment to safeguarding voters and maintaining public confidence in the democratic process.
