IGP Withdraws Security Details Of Govs, Deputies Ahead Kogi/Bayelsa Polls

Police Assures Of Tight Security For Election

The Inspector-General of Police, Adamu Mohammed has ordered the withdrawal of police security details attached to public office holders participating in the November 16 elections in Kogi and Bayelsa states.

Those affected by the order are governors, their deputies, public office holders, politicians and other political actors participating in the election.

The IGP’s directive will take effect as from Friday, November 15.

The directive was made public in Lokoja on Thursday by the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police in charge of Operations at the Force Headquarters, DIG Abdulmajid Ali while briefing journalists on preparation for the two elections.

He, however, noted that the security aides to affected persons will be restored after the elections.

While giving assurances of water-tight security plans, the DIG warned individuals with intention of causing disturbances to stay far away from the states or have themselves to balme.

“I can assure that the Nigeria Police and other security agencies are fully ready to support INEC in delivering successful elections in Kogi and Bayelsa States.

“While with your support and that of the citizens, we are confident that we have the operational capacity to ensure the success of the exercise in both States.

“We are not unaware of the possible security threats that some misguided political actors and their followers may attempt to pose during the elections in both States.

“To such elements, we must sound a note of warning that as a nation, we have had enough of electoral violence. Hence, while the Nigeria Police shall strive to guarantee a peaceful and secure space for all political parties and the citizens to freely exercise their electoral rights, we shall not hesitate to identify, isolate and bring to deserved justice any person or group of persons that attempt to threaten the democratic order in Kogi and Bayelsa States.

“Our message is being relayed here loud and clear that in securing the law-abiding citizens during the elections, we shall not hesitate to deploy our potent assets to deal firmly and decisively with electoral deviants.

“Consequently, we call on political actors and indeed all citizens to assist the Police and other law enforcement agencies in sustaining the gains we have recorded as a nation in our democratic journey.

“It should always be remembered that politics is a game guided by rules and it behooves political actors and their supporters to play the game within the dictates of such rules.

The police chief revealed that 66,241 personnel have been deployed to Bayelsa and Kogi to handle election security in the two states.

“Consequently, personnel deployed on the election security operations have been charged to be civil, fair, and professional and rule of law-guided in the discharge of their duties.

“In so doing, however, they have been additionally instructed to be firm and decisive.

“On our part, therefore, we assure the electorates in Kogi and Bayelsa States and indeed, the nation and the international community of our firm commitment to a successful electoral exercise and our unwavering commitment to engaging international best practices in the discharge of our election security mandate”, he said.