FIC Report (Ondo State) – As Ondo State prepares for the gubernatorial election on Saturday, November 16, 2024, the Nigerian Navy has reinforced its commitment to safeguarding the waterways to ensure sensitive election materials reach their destinations securely.
This commitment aims to foster a secure maritime environment, allowing citizens in riverine areas to exercise their voting rights without intimidation.
Speaking on this commitment, Commanding Officer of the Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Igbokoda, Captain Aliyu Usman, highlighted the Navy’s enhanced security operations for the period leading up to, during, and after the election.
“As a security agency, our duty is to increase patrols across the waterways, particularly covering the riverine communities and adjoining boundaries,” Captain Usman affirmed.
In a show of preparedness, the Navy has deployed a fleet of gunboats and essential logistical support to secure the maritime routes used to transport INEC staff and election materials to polling centres within the state’s riverine regions.
Captain Usman reassured the public that every effort is in place to keep the waterways safe, for the transport of the sensitive materials, a crucial measure in ensuring the credibility of the electoral process in remote areas.
Captain Usman further warned potential troublemakers to steer clear of the waters, affirming the Navy’s commitment to security.
He also stated that the Navy has been monitoring Ondo’s maritime borders to prevent any external disruptions.
He noted that criminal elements attempting to undermine the electoral process would be met with swift action, as the Navy coordinates closely with the Nigeria Police to secure voting centers.
The Navy’s role in providing external security along these waterways will complement police efforts to uphold law and order within polling areas, in accordance with the guidelines set forth in the Electoral Act of 2023.
In his words, “The waterways would remain safe and secure throughout the period before, during, and after the election. We have assured the security of sensitive election materials and INEC staff as they transit through the waters to various voting centres within the riverine communities of the state.”
Although the Navy observed that the maritime environment in Ondo State has been relatively calm, the CO warned troublemakers to steer clear of the waters, especially during the election.
“We can assure that the maritime borders of Ondo State with its neighbours are being actively monitored and will be effectively manned to ensure that criminal elements are not imported into the state with the aim of causing mayhem or sabotaging the process.”
He highlighted that the Navy Base will provide an outer security cordon for the election within the riverine communities of Ondo State, ensuring that the process is not disrupted by criminal elements, while personnel of the Nigeria Police monitor the voting exercise in accordance with the Electoral Act of 2023.
Signed
Akinbiola Funmilayo
HOC FIC Akure
