Eniola Olayemi
Long awaited election is here at last and the police is ensuring there are no loose ends, as the Inspector General of Police, Ag. IGP M.A Adamu has instructed vigorous security procedures across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
In a statement signed by Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Frank Mba, Commisioners of Police (CPs) in the 36 state commands and FCT as well as the Assistant Inspectors General of Police (AIGs) in the 12 zonal commands have been instructed by the IGP to give updates and monitor security by working closely with the Senior Police Officers assigned on election duties to the three senatorial districts to form part of security management base for each state.
Mba also noted, that Deputy Inspector Generals of Police have also been assigned to the six (6) geo-political zones of the country to ensure sufficient security presence, management, regulation and implementation of proper security approaches for the election in all polling units.
They will also be monitoring Registration Area Centre’s (RACs), Super RACs, Collation Centres, INEC offices, Government and critical National Infrastructures, vulnerable points across the states of the federation.
“The IGP has also directed the Election Intelligence Monitoring Team (EIMT) to intensify constant surveillance, intelligence gathering and monitoring of security personnel deployed nationwide while the Special Election Investigation Team (SEIT) should ensure discrete investigation of electoral cases and diligent prosecution of all electoral offenders.
“While charging all security personnel on election duties to ensure they remain patriotic, professional, unbiased and apolitical in the discharge of their duties, the IGP, however, warns that he will not tolerate any form of impunity or unethical conduct on the part of any personnel adding that on no account should any policeman or woman attached to VIPs be seen escorting their principal to the polling unit or moving around with them on the day of election as any police officer caught will be arrested and dealt with accordingly.’’
The IGP also urged politicians to ensure that their supporters are orderly, law abiding and desist from all forms of violence and electoral malpractices before, during and after the polls.
He implored senior officers to ensure that no stone was left unturned towards putting in place ample security including the supervision of security personnel deployed to each of the Senatorial Districts under their watch.
