Security agencies in the Federal Capital Territory have assured residents of adequate measures to ensure a peaceful 2026 Area Council election.
The assurance came on Thursday at a meeting of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES), as preparations intensify for the polls scheduled for next month.
FCT Commissioner of Police and ICCES co-chair, Miller Dantawaye, said security agencies are fully ready to maintain peace before, during and after the elections.
He announced plans to immediately set up a joint situation room to coordinate election security operations across the territory.
Dantawaye also ordered the deployment of police personnel to secure facilities of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) across the six area councils and provide security for the ongoing collection of Permanent Voter Cards at designated locations in the 62 registration areas.
He said ICCES would address challenges that often delay early deployment of security personnel on election day and ensure adequate presence at identified flashpoints across the FCT.
INEC’s Resident Electoral Commissioner for the FCT, Aminu Kasimu Idris, thanked security agencies for their continued support, saying their efforts have consistently ensured the safe implementation of electoral activities.
With the election about a month away, Idris said strong security presence is needed to boost public confidence and encourage voter participation.
INEC-FCT Administrative Secretary, Bimbo Oladunjoye, said the commission’s election activities are progressing according to schedule, adding that INEC is engaging a wide range of stakeholders to strengthen preparations for the polls.
The meeting ended with an agreement to hold another consultative session ahead of the Area Council elections to fine-tune security arrangements.
