By Dan-Maryam Zayamu
The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Usman Baba Alkali, has charged Command Commissioners of Police (CPs) across the country to ensure that political actors and miscreants take over or subdue the civil space during the forthcoming general elections.
The IGP gave the charge at a conference with top police hierarchy including Commissioners in Abuja.
He further charged the CPs to monitor closely the activities of the quasi security operatives including Civilian Joint Task Force
(CJTF),National Union of Road Transport Workers
(NURTW), “Amotekun”, “Ebube Agu” and Hunter’s
Association and other State owned security outfits with a
view to checkmating their activities within their
jurisdictions.
“I am reiterating that you ensure no
political actor or miscreant is able to subdue any part of
the civil space under your Command.
“Beyond these mandates, under the Electoral Act
2022 (as amended), the Nigeria Police is primarily
responsible for securing the public space and the
territorial integrity of the country before, during and
after the elections and this remains sacrosanct,” the IGP said.
He insisted that national security interest
overrides personal considerations and desires.
“Accordingly, as directed by President Muhammadu
Buhari, I must therefore stress and warn, that as much
as we will Police the election in the most civil and rule of
law compliant manner, we shall remain apolitical and
leave no one in doubt of our desire to give effect to the
charge of Mr. President to ensure free, fair and credible
elections across the nation.
“To ensure that our personnel and other security
Agencies to be deployed for the elections have a clear
knowledge of their roles and operate within acceptable
legal and ethical standards which are in line with
international best practices, I have directed the
distribution of the recently compiled and printed
handbooks titled: ‘Revised Standard Operational
Guidelines/Rules for Police Officers and Other Law
Enforcement Agents on Election Security Duties’”, he noted. .
the IGP ordered the Command Commissioners to do whatever is needed to protect INEC facilities from being destroyed in their domain.
“In respect to the incessant attacks on INEC facilities
and other key and vulnerable government assets, you
are hereby warned to ensure the emplacement of firm
actions that will deter attacks on INEC facilities/assets
across your AORs, especially at this crucial season of
electioneering in the country.
“As part of my administration’s efforts towards
delivering adequate security for the safe conduct of the
elections, the operational assets that were commissioned
by Mr. President today will complement the existing ones
which have already been deployed to Police Commands
and Formations across the country for the purpose of
the election and the stabilization of the security order in
the country.
“This is to fortify our operational capacity to
meet up with emerging security threats, particularly at
locations identified as hot spots of violent crimes.
“You are all henceforth advised to put machineries in
motion that will in the most proactive manner identify,
isolate, apprehend and bring to deserved justice any
political actor or their foot-soldiers who may be planning
to engage in any form of political violence at political
rallies, during the casting of votes and after the
conclusion of the electoral process,” he said.
