Egbetokun Deploys CP Shogunle to Bolster Security Ahead of Anambra Governorship Poll

The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has appointed CP Abayomi Shogunle as the new Commissioner of Police in charge of Anambra State ahead of the November 8, 2025, governorship election.

The development was announced in a statement on Tuesday by the spokesperson for the Anambra State Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, who said the posting was part of efforts to strengthen security coordination and ensure a peaceful, credible, and transparent electoral process.

According to the statement, CP Shogunle’s deployment aligns with the operational strategy approved by the Inspector-General, focusing on proactive security planning and enforcement against electoral offences such as ballot snatching, vote-buying, thuggery, and voter intimidation.

Upon assuming duty, Shogunle activated the IGP’s Enforcement Protocol on anti-electoral offences and restructured the Electoral Offences Desk to monitor online activities and detect cyber-related election crimes for prompt investigation and prosecution.

He also established a central command framework for real-time intelligence sharing and rapid response, backed by a joint deployment of over 60,000 personnel from various security agencies under the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security. These operatives will secure 5,720 polling units, key boundaries, and designated collation centres across the state.

The new police commissioner further reiterated the ban on the activities of vigilante and quasi-security outfits, including Agunechemba, during the election period. He also warned that VIPs are prohibited from moving with armed escorts or aides at polling and collation centres, stressing that violators would face immediate arrest and prosecution.

Shogunle urged political parties, candidates, and residents to cooperate with security agencies to maintain peace before, during, and after the election. He can be reached on 0809-600-0079 for security-related matters.

Sixteen candidates are contesting the governorship election, with incumbent Governor Prof. Chukwuma Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) seeking re-election.