The Police Service Commission (PSC) has confirmed that Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIG) Ben Okolo, who oversees Force Intelligence, will lead police operations during Saturday’s Anambra governorship election.

Okolo will coordinate all field activities, following the strategic directives of the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun. Security deployments have been tightened across the state, and Anambra remains calm ahead of the poll.

A PSC monitoring team, led by retired DIG Taiwo Lakanu, arrived in Awka on Thursday to oversee police performance and ensure professionalism throughout the election.

According to PSC’s Head of Press, Ikechukwu Ani, officers on duty have taken control of key areas across the state, maintaining a visible presence to reassure residents and deter any disruptions. The deployment follows the IGP’s recent two-day engagement with stakeholders, which has reportedly fostered positive outcomes.

The PSC delegation is operating within its constitutional mandate to promote credible elections by ensuring that police, as the primary internal security agency, perform optimally. To enhance accountability, a list of dedicated hotlines has been released for residents and election observers to report misconduct or commend exemplary conduct by officers.

DIG Lakanu, who chairs the PSC Standing Committee on Police Matters, stressed that free, fair, and credible elections depend on a secure environment and assured close monitoring across all local government areas.

Additionally, Commissioner of Police Abayomi Shogunle, recently deployed to oversee the election, has developed a detailed operational manual to guide officers in maintaining order and transparency during the process.

The PSC reiterated its commitment to collaborating with security agencies and election stakeholders to ensure a peaceful and credible electoral process in Anambra State.