Anambra Police Set to Deploy Drones to Monitor Nov 8 Governorship Election

The Anambra State Police Command is stepping up surveillance ahead of the November 8 governorship election.

The command says drones will be used to watch activities during voting and collation.

Police Commissioner Ikioye Orutugu disclosed the plan during a sensitisation visit to officers in Nnewi. He confirmed that the technology will cover all polling areas across the state.

“We have perfected plans to use drones to monitor every polling unit or electoral ward up to the collation centers,” he said.

He warned that any attempt to interfere with the process will attract serious sanctions. The Commissioner said the directive came from the Inspector General of Police who ordered zero tolerance for electoral misconduct.

According to him, offenders will be arrested and prosecuted immediately.

Orutugu assured voters that the police will stay neutral throughout the exercise. “The police is not interested in which candidate or political party wins the election.
The police is totally neutral in this election, and I wish to warn officers and men of the Command to discharge their duties without bias or sympathy for any candidate or political party.”

The Commissioner of Police also praised the Agunechemba Security Squad for working with security agencies to improve safety.
He noted that cooperation with local vigilantes has helped reduce crime in several communities.

However, Nnewi Area Commander, ACP Augustine Oyamiele, complained about lack of patrol vehicles in the division.
He recalled that police structures were completely destroyed during the 2020 EndSARS demonstrations.
Augustine added that the stations were later rebuilt through support from well-meaning residents.

Security officials are urging citizens to remain peaceful and follow instructions when they arrive at their polling units. They insist that every vote will be protected.