By Hassan Zaggi
In an effort to ensure that the Anambra election which is fixed for November 6 is credible, transparent, fair and hitch-free, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Usman Baba Alkali, has charged officers of the Mobile Police Force (PMF) to remain apolitical while being ruthless to violent elements and ill-guided political thugs that “may wish to test our common will.”
He gave the charge while addressing Squadron Commanders in Abuja, Wednesday.
This is the first meeting the IGP held with the Squadron Commanders since he took over the mantle of leadership as the Inspector General of Police.
He also warned the Commanders to ensure that they demonstrate high level of professionalism, strong supervisory capacity on their Units, and the firmness and courage which he said, are the traditional hallmarks of the Police Mobile Force.
While charging them to cultivate the spirit of team work and inter-agency cooperation, knowing that they will operate side-by-side other sister security agencies and officials of INE, the IGP said: “Above all, you must remain apolitical while being ruthless with violent elements and ill-guided political thugs that may wish to test our common will to deliver a transparent and credible electoral outcome.
“I am confident that like other operations in which you have excelled, you will not let the Nigeria Police and, indeed, the nation down in this critical national assignment.”
He reminded the Commanders that there is enormous task ahead as the election security action plan of the Anambra gubernatorial election will, as usual, revolve around Units of the Mobile Police Force.
The import of this, the IGP said: “Is that the task of securing our democratic values and guaranteeing a safe, secure and credible electoral process in Anambra State will rest squarely and majorly on some of you, the Squadron Commanders here seated and some of your Units.
“Most of your operatives will be deployed to deter subversive elements that are planning to threaten the process, while others will be deployed to secure personnel and materials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as well as other critical national infrastructure.”
IGP Baba, however, revealed that plans have been concluded by his leadership to reposition and reorganise the PMF.
“In this regard, the PMF under my leadership will in due course, re-organised, adequately equipped, trained and re-oriented with the goal of re-situating it within its original concept.
“In furtherance to this, all the Squadron Commanders shall be leaving this Conference with new sets of operational assets which have been approved for issuance with a view to sharpening your operational capacity.
“Plans are also underway to issue more weaponry and
operational vehicles to enhance your operational mobility and combat ability.
“Aside this, the Deputy Inspector General of Police in-charge of Operations has been tasked to commence the process of training and re-training of operatives of the PMF in order to strengthen your special operational capacity and exposing you to modern tactical and combat requirements.
