*By David Uka, Abakaliki*
Ahead of March 9 governorship and state Assembly elections, the Ebonyi State Police command says it has uncovered four flashpoints that would be beefed up to forestall possible repeat of the security challenges during the Presidential and State Assembly elections in the state.
The State Commissioner of Police, CP Awosola Awotinde disclosed this while briefing journalists at the command headquarters in Abakaliki on the preparedness of the police in the state.
According to him, the flashpoints, which he described as volatile areas, gave the command trouble during the just concluded presidential and National Assembly elections in the state.
He said that adequate attention would be paid in the areas during Saturday’s election.
“We have some flash points and I will not name them but we have taken care of them. We have about four of them and they are volatile areas. They gave us problems during the presidential and National Assembly elections and we are expecting problems there during the governorship and state Assembly elections”.
Awotinde further added that relevant logistics have been put in place to ensure that the state record violence-free elections in the state.
The Police boss also warned troublemakers to steer clear from the state during the polls as the command would deal decisively with anyone who want to breach the peace in the state.
“We the police, in conjunction with other security agencies, are ready as usual to provide adequate security for them before, during, and after the election. People should go and exercise their franchise on Saturday”.
“I am using this opportunity to warn troublemakers to desist from it or relocate because they are not going to find it easy as we have been dealing with them already, we will continue to deal with them.
“We also want to inform the general public that if there is any breach of the peace, they should call the numbers we have already made available to them for quick response.
“We have joint operation room with the military, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and others. They will be on throughout the elections. They have about two patrol teams that will respond to distress calls throughout the election”, he said.
