Ahead of the Anambra State gubernatorial election slated for November 6, the Nigeria Police have placed the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its combat arm, Eastern Security Network (ESN) on its watch list as the top potential threats, FIJ can exclusively report.

This is contained in a 25-page document with the policy number CJ: 3910/FDPS/DOP/FHQ/ABJ/VOL.4/285 sent to all police formations in Nigeria ahead of the upcoming election.

The order dated October 15 came directly from the department of operations in the office of Usman Alkali Baba, the Inspector General of Police.

IPOB and ESN top a list of 14 potential threats to the election.

Specifically, the force authorities stated that the Police Mobile Force (PMF), Counter Terrorist Unit (CTU), Intelligence Response Team (IRT) and Special Tactical Squad (STS) would be deployed to identify IPOB/ESN training camps and hideouts as well as those of armed bandits.

The police also accused IPOB/ESN of engaging in “clandestine and criminal activities culminating in numerous deaths and destruction of properties”.

READ ALSO: VIDEO: Hoodlums Enforce IPOB’s Sit-At-Home Order in Owerri, Chase Pupils Out of School

Although the police mentioned that the arrest of Nnamdi Kanu, the IPOB leader, has reduced the rate of insecurity in the area, they insist on deploying “maximum human and material assets” to confront threats to the election.

“Even though this has been brought down to a minimum level through concerted and intensive Police/Joint Security Operation, coupled with the recent arrest of the leader of IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, there is need to ensure maximum deployment of human and material assets of the police to avert any untoward action or threat that may scuttle or negatively affect the election process,” the police noted.

READ ALSO: UK Asks Nigeria to Explain How Nnamdi Kanu Was Arrested

FIJ gathered that the Nigeria Police would be drawing more personnel from different state commands and formations to join forces with over 4,000 police officers in Anambra State.

However, Emma Powerful, IPOB’s spokesman released a press statement on October 23, threatening a one-week sit-at-home in the entire southeast, including Anambra, if Kanu is not released by November 4.

According to the exclusive police document obtained by FIJ, another part of the police’s 24 rules of engagement for the election is the use of firearms in accordance with Force Order 237 which regulates the police rules of engagement

Meanwhile, Mohammed Adamu, the immediate former IGP, revised Force Order 237 on October 23, 2019, to ensure the protection of citizens’ fundamental human rights.

In the revised document, the police are expected to adopt the use of the Taser and stun guns in place of conventional live bullets for low-risk operations.

The operation order for Anambra didn’t explicitly state if the officers are to engage under the revised rule.