The military was deployed to reinforce security around the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Lokoja on Wednesday after a mob besieged the premises, News About Nigeria reports.
The Commissioner of Police in Kogi State, Mr Bethrand Onuoha, sought the assistance of the military, specifically contacting the Commander of the 12 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Brig.-Gen. Haruna Dasuki, to ensure the protection of the INEC office.
The decision to call in the military was made after a mob laid siege to the INEC office, preventing employees from carrying out their duties.
Commissioner Onuoha emphasised that it was the responsibility of the police to protect all citizens and property, and the military’s presence was crucial in restoring order.
Earlier, INEC had reported the siege to the police, with its Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr Gabriel Longpet, stating that the mob had barricaded all access points to the office.
This hindered employees from performing their tasks and also prevented legal representatives of political parties involved in the November 11 off-cycle governorship election from inspecting relevant documents and materials.
Dr Longpet acknowledged the intervention of the Nigerian Army, which helped calm the situation.
“The mob also prevented counsel representing political parties that took part in the Nov. 11 off-cycle governorship election in the state from inspecting documents and materials used in the exercise.
“It took the intervention of the Nigerian Army to calm the situation. The security agencies have assured us that they will maintain normalcy on our premises,” he said.
The security agencies have given assurances that they will maintain normalcy at the INEC premises.
Longpet further assured all political parties and litigants that INEC would provide unimpeded access to the materials necessary for prosecuting their petitions related to the election.
