The Delta State Police Command has deployed personnel across Udu Local Government Area ahead of Saturday’s Udu State Constituency by-election, warning political actors and their supporters against violence, voter intimidation, vote buying and other electoral offences.
The Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command, CP Samuel E. Erale, ordered the deployment as part of security arrangements for the September 19, 2026, election, with personnel assigned to polling units, collation centres, major routes and other critical locations across the local government area.
The command said patrol and response teams would also be deployed to maintain security and respond promptly to any attempt to breach the peace during the exercise.
Erale directed all officers deployed for the election to remain professional, vigilant and impartial, while providing adequate protection for voters, INEC officials, accredited observers and electoral materials.
The police commissioner urged political actors and their supporters to caution their followers against actions capable of disrupting the peaceful conduct of the election.
The command specifically warned against political thuggery, violence, voter intimidation, vote buying, ballot snatching, possession of firearms and other dangerous weapons, destruction of electoral materials and attempts to disrupt the electoral process.
It said anyone found engaging in acts capable of undermining the peaceful conduct of the election would be arrested and dealt with in accordance with the law.
Erale assured the electorate that the police would provide the necessary security for voters to exercise their franchise without fear or intimidation.
He urged residents, candidates and political supporters to conduct themselves peacefully and cooperate with security personnel throughout the exercise.
The commissioner reiterated that the police command would remain neutral in the electoral process but would be firm in enforcing the law against anyone, irrespective of status or political affiliation, who attempts to disturb the peace.
The assurance came as the command concluded its security arrangements for the by-election, which is expected to draw voters, candidates, electoral officials and other stakeholders to polling and collation locations across Udu.