The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has commenced a massive deployment of personnel across all six Area Councils and the city centre as part of a comprehensive operational strategy to ensure the peaceful, credible and hitch-free conduct of the Saturday, February 21, 2026 Area Council elections.
The FCT Commissioner of Police, CP Haruna Garba, disclosed this during a press briefing at the Command Headquarters in Garki on Thursday, February 19, 2026. He said the deployment is the first phase of a multi-layered security architecture that will remain in place before, during and after the polls.
Massive Visible & Covert Deployment: Over 10,000 police personnel (including conventional, tactical, mobile, mounted and canine units) drawn from the FCT Command, neighbouring commands, PMF, Special Protection Unit (SPU) and other sister agencies.
Strategic Coverage: Full coverage of all 62 electoral wards, collation centres, INEC offices, major junctions, entry/exit routes into the FCT, and vulnerable flashpoints.
Specialised Units: Deployment of Anti-Kidnapping Squad, Rapid Response Squad (RRS), Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD), Counter-Terrorism Unit, and Marine Police along waterways.
Election Security Command & Control Centre: 24-hour situation room at Force Headquarters and FCT Command HQ with real-time CCTV, drone surveillance and communication links to all field commanders.
Collaboration: Joint operations with the Department of State Services (DSS), Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Nigeria Immigration Service, FRSC, and local vigilante groups under Operation Akpakomiza.
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CP Harba stated: “The FCT Police Command is fully prepared. We have zero tolerance for any form of electoral violence, voter intimidation, vote-buying, ballot-box snatching or disruption of the process. Security will be proactive, intelligence-driven and people-centred. We urge political parties, candidates, their supporters and the general public to conduct themselves peacefully and report any suspicious activity immediately.”
He also warned that anyone found with firearms, dangerous weapons or planning to disrupt the election will face the full wrath of the law, including prosecution under the Electoral Act and Terrorism Prevention Act.
The Area Council elections will produce chairmen and councillors for the six Area Councils (AMAC, Abaji, Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kuje and Kwali) and will be closely watched as a barometer for the 2027 general elections.
By Ogungbayi Beedee Adeyemi
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