Odita Sunday 
By Odita Sunday
The Delta State Commissioner of Police, CP Samuel E. Erale, has ordered the deployment of personnel across the Udu Local Government Area ahead of the state constituency by-election scheduled for Saturday, September 19, 2026.
The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday, saying the deployment would cover polling units, collation centres, major routes and other critical locations to ensure a peaceful and hitch-free election.
Edafe said the Commissioner of Police had directed all officers deployed for the exercise to remain professional, vigilant and impartial while providing adequate protection for voters, INEC officials, accredited observers and electoral materials.
According to him, patrol and response teams would also be deployed to maintain security across the area and respond promptly to any attempt to breach the peace.
The Command warned political thugs and other individuals against acts capable of disrupting the electoral process, including violence, voter intimidation, vote buying, ballot snatching, possession of firearms or dangerous weapons and destruction of electoral materials.
Edafe said political actors and their supporters had been advised to caution their followers, stressing that anyone found undermining the peaceful conduct of the election would be arrested and dealt with in accordance with the law.
He quoted CP Erale as assuring voters that the Command would provide the necessary security for them to exercise their franchise without fear or intimidation.
The Commissioner urged residents, candidates and political supporters to conduct themselves peacefully and cooperate with police personnel throughout the exercise.
Erale also reaffirmed the Command’s neutrality in the electoral process, warning that the police would enforce the law against anyone, irrespective of status or political affiliation, who attempted to disturb the peace.
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