Taraba Police Vow Robust Security for August 16 Bye-Election

The Taraba State Commissioner of Police, Betty Enekpen Isokpan Otimenyin, has pledged the Command’s full support to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in ensuring a secure and credible bye-election for the Karim-Lamido 1 State House of Assembly constituency, scheduled for August 16, 2025. During a strategic meeting with the state INEC Chairman, Alhaji Umar Mukhtar Gajiram, at the Police Command Headquarters in Jalingo, she stressed the importance of deploying seasoned officers and adequate resources, given the difficult terrain of the Karim-Lamido area.

Commissioner Isokpan emphasized the need for strict compliance with security protocols and urged INEC to maintain close coordination with all security agencies in the lead-up to the poll. The meeting aimed to enhance inter-agency collaboration and fine-tune security strategies to guarantee a peaceful and credible election.

In response, INEC Chairman Gajiram commended the police for their crucial role in safeguarding the electoral process, noting that every election, regardless of scope, requires strong security backing to uphold public peace and trust. He described the engagement as a valuable opportunity to strengthen proactive synergy between INEC and security agencies.

Both institutions reaffirmed their commitment to a transparent, orderly, and violence-free election. The police further warned political parties and their supporters to strictly follow electoral laws, vowing to take firm action against any attempt to disrupt the democratic process.