In view of the Presidential/National Assembly Elections scheduled for tomorrow, Saturday, 23rd February, 2019, the Inspector General of Police, Ag. IGP M.A Adamu, NPM, mni has ordered a water-tight and robust security arrangement in the Thirty Six (36) States and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). In this vein, the IGP has directed the Deputy Inspector Generals of Police already deployed to the six (6) geo-political zones of the Country to ensure adequate security presence, coordination, supervision and implementation of security strategies for the election in all Polling Units, Registration Area Centres (RACs), Super RACs, Collation Centres, INEC offices, Government and critical National Infrastructures, flash and vulnerable points across the States of the federation.
Similarly, the Assistant Inspectors General of Police (AIGs) in the Twelve (12) Zonal Commands and the Commissioners of Police (CPs) in the Thirty Six (36) State Commands and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have been directed by the IGP to beef-up security in their respective areas and to work closely with the Senior Police Officers deployed on election duties to the three (3) senatorial districts and form part of security management base for each State. They are to ensure that no stone is left unturned towards emplacing adequate security including the supervision of security personnel deployed to each of the Senatorial Districts under their watch.
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. He further reiterates 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 advised politicians to prevail on their supporters to be orderly, law abiding and shun all forms of violence and electoral malpractices before, during and after the polls.
ACP FRANK MBA FORCE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER FORCE HEADQUARTERS, ABUJA