The security Joint Task Force, JTF, in Anambra, yesterday, assured residents that it would maintain heavy security presence in the state before and after the general elections.

The Commanding Officer of the Navy Outpost, Onitsha, Navy Capt. Mike Oamen, made this known while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, on the preparedness of the task force for the forthcoming elections.

Oamen said the task force would ensure that the current peace and security in the state were not breached during and after the elections.

He said: “We are going to sustain the elections, of course; we are going to sustain the tempo because we want this same atmosphere to take us through the elections and make sure that by this time maybe after the election, we will still be able to hold our heads high and guarantee security for every Anambra State indigene.

“So, we are sustaining the tempo, definitely. We thank the governor for his cooperation and incentive to all the security agencies and, of course, the security people that work together as a team.

“That is one thing that is going for us here in Anambra State – the police, the military (the navy and army) and the para-military. I must also commend the vigilante.“

The commander, urged residents to use the free-toll 122 hotline to furnish the task force with useful information that would help prevent crime in their neigbourhoods.