From Maduabuchi Nmeribeh, Kano
The Assistant Inspector General of Police in-charge of Kano state National and State Assembly supplementary elections, AIG Ibrahim Sani Kaoje, on Friday, said police and sister security agencies are prepared to not only providing adequate security, but a level playing ground for all political parties involved in the Saturday National and State Assembly supplementary elections in Kano.
The Police boss who spoke during a collaborative meeting cum press conference at the police Officers’ Mess, Bompai, urged politicians and their supporters to play by the rules of the game through abiding by the law and order during and after the elections so as not to incur the wrath of security agencies, who he said are fully prepared to take on any person or group of persons who ventured to perpetrate trouble during the exercise.
According to him, the conference was solely aimed at, “familiarising myself with you and also, making my mission in Kano crystal clear to you as partners in crime management and control in the State.”
He further stated that: ” Foremostly, I would like to thank Almighty Allah for giving me the grace and privilege to stand before you as the Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Kano state supplementary elections. My sincere gratitude equally goes to the Inspector General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, NPM, fdc, CFR, for deeming it fit to post me here in order to robustly improve the security situation in the State.
“I will cease this opportunity to thank you all for the reception and hospitality accorded to me. Robust improvement of the current security architecture of the State shall be upheld as the sole objective of my mission.
” I further appreciate with much sincerity the sister security agencies in the state and members of the press for their much needed cooperation, collaboration and smooth working relationship with the Police, which has undoubtedly yielded effective security management, education and information sharing with the public on our crime management activities, without which the peace management efforts of the Command would not have gotten the glory and publicity it enjoys today.
“However, on my assumption of duty to oversee the conduct of this all important exercise, I came up with a policy under my carefully thoughtout security strategies, which includes but not limited to working closely with host communities for effective security through the adoption and utilization of community policing guidelines.
“These strategies were given birth by my in-depth review of the security challenges bedevelling the State and my unmatched desire to rejig the security architecture of the State and decisively deal head on with pockets of security challenges that may arise from the ongoing threat analysis by the Command.
” I therefore declare an onslaught on all vicious activities within the State and pledge my dedication and commitment to public safety and by extension the peaceful conduct of the forthcoming election in the State.
” While at the helm of affairs of this Command, I shall ensure that we strictly deliver our services in line with intelligence led policing, respect for the rule of law, law enforcement with respect to fundamental human rights and adoption of professionalism as the basis of all policing activities in the State.
” At all levels of policing, professional, and proactive approaches shall be adopted. It is worthy of note that, in all policing activities, community partnership, support and participation will not be undermined.
“In view of the aforementioned, I hereby assure the good people of Kano State that the Police in conjunction with sister security forces will ensure a level playing ground for all political actors in the forthcoming election. Security engagements shall be strictly professional with zero tolerance for unethical conducts, corrupt practices and rights violation.
“On this note, I solicit your uncompromised support and cooperation as we discharge our duties in this all important assignment.”
In his remarks, the Commissioner of Police in-charge of the National and State Assembly supplementary elections in Kano, Mr. Muhammed Usain Gumel, said the police are ever ready to collaborate with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the prosecution of electoral offenders.
He said: “I welcome you all to this crucial meeting convened to interface with operational and tactical police commanders in order to plan on how best to police and tackle violence and related offences that are used to mar the electoral process especially voting and collation of results during the forthcoming supplementary elections scheduled for constituencies of Fagge, Tudun Wada / Doguwa House of Representatives and the fourteen (14) House of Assembly seats for Ajingi, Danbatta, Dawakin Tofa, Gwarzo, Gezawa, Makoda, Takai, Ungogo, Warawa, Gabasawa, Tudun Wada, Gaya, Wudil and Garko.
” It is in the record of the Nigeria Police Force that a total of 489 major electoral infractions occurred during the February 25 and March 18 rounds of elections, leading to the arrest of 781 offenders and the recovery of 66 assorted firearms.
” The summary indicates that a total of 185 major electoral offences were reported during the presidential and National Assembly elections with 203 arrests made and 18 firearms recovered. Similarly, a total of 304 electoral offences were recorded during the governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections, with a total number of 578 arrests recorded and 48 firearms recovered. This included 161 suspects in Kano State.
“It is on the foregoing that all police commands have been directed by IGP to collaborate with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in ensuring that all these electoral offenders are expeditiously and transparently prosecuted not only in the interest of criminal justice delivery but in furtherance of the vision of the NPF to sanitize the country’s democratic space.
“In Furtherance, Electoral Tribunal has been set up in all 36 States and FCT and the police are committed to efforts towards mitigating electoral malfeasance with more arrests, prosecution and sanctioning of the ‘mother spiders’ to end their reign of impunity.
“The fact that most of those arrested, tried and convicted so far for electoral offences are foot soldiers rather than the sponsors of electoral violence and other violations, many political elites have engaged in or supported violence in their bid to illegally shape the outcome of contests.
“In light of the foregoing, the Police hierarchy directed all the Commands Commissioners to collaborate with INEC in the prosecution of all electoral offences. This is to serve as deterrence and effective enforcement against individuals and organizations whose violations of the electoral laws are undermining the Constitution and threatening our democracy.
“The State Police of this Command is by this development committed to the implementation of this system of vigorous prosecution and punishment of all electoral offenders arrested and investigated during the last elections.
” This is to serve as a deterrent to others and help build confidence in our elections. During this upcoming supplementary election that is going to hold in some parts of the State, not only foot soldiers would be arrested and punished, but all those who sponsor thugs.
” Distinguished officers, invited guests, ladies and gentlemen, It’s expected that this time politicians and all the relevant stakeholders in our electoral processes will be on the same page with the Police and other relevant security agencies by upholding their pledges of being transparent, peaceful and as well as playing politics in accordance with the rules.
“They must not only shun violence but also ostracize their members who might want to engage in any form of violence. We must collectively and at individual levels also educate our youths on the dangers of allowing themselves to be used by desperate individuals.”
