IGP Unveils Security Priority List For Elections
In less than nine days to the country’s general elections and in a swift reaction to the tension that has been looming in parts of the country, the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Suleiman Abba, has unveiled his security priority list and plan for the period.
The plan was contained in a statement issued on Thursday by the Force spokesman, Acting Commissioner of Police, CP Emmanuel Ojukwu, a copy obtained by Nigerian Pilot.
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The statement revealed that Abba has order special security surveillance for offices of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC offices nationwide, media houses as well as telecommunications facilities ahead of the March 28 and April 11 general elections.
It revealed other places in the IGP’s security priority list to include Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs camps, banks, hospitals, the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC lodges, hotels and government offices.
The IGP explained that the plan is part of the Police High Command’s efforts to forestall the breakdown of law and order during the elections.
Abba also said the order became necessary in order to curb any possible attempt by hoodlums or men of the underworld to attack these installations and public places.
The force spokesman said the police boss further pleaded with members of the public to remain committed in collaborating with security operatives and officials of the Nigeria Police to flush out crimes, especially as the force has perfected strategies to prepare a safe and secured ground to guarantee hitch-free general elections.
However, the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, AIG for Zone 4, Aderele Shinaba had earlier warned officials of the force, especially those that would be deployed for election duty to desist from any act that would tarnish the image of the Nigeria Police Force.
Shinaba gave the warning while speaking yesterday in Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital where he addressed officers of the state police command during his maiden visit to the state.
The AIG zone 4, who charged personnel to show high sense of discipline before, during and after the elections, promised them that allowances would be paid promptly to the officers involved in election duty before embarking on their assignment.
He warned that the police would not condone any act of violence before, during and after the elections, but assured that a level-playing ground would be given to all the candidates despite the political parties they belong to.
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“The police must not be partisan in the discharge of its constitutional responsibility. You must be disciplined by avoiding drunkenness because drunk police personnel is a problem to himself, his colleagues and the society,” Shinaba said.
Abba, had earlier revealed that there are plans by some politicians to announce results of the general elections, rather than allow the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to announce the results when due.
The IGP was among the security chiefs recently summoned by President Goodluck Jonathan in a closed door meeting which the outcome is yet to be disclosed.
Source: Legit.ng
