• Arase
The Inspector General of Police, Mr. Solomon Arase Wednesday spoke tough ahead of this Saturday re-run elections in Rivers state.
He warned politicians who wish to foment trouble to be prepared to face the wrath of law.
Re-run elections will hold in 37 constituencies involving the three senatorial districts, 12 federal constituencies and 22 state constituencies.
Arase who spoke at a joint briefing with Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mohammed Yakubu said a comprehensive security analysis have been conducted with some trouble spots and individuals identified.
The identified individuals he further said have been placed under watch and should they cross the threshold; the police will be forced to take action.
He added that apart from the deployment of 6,000 police personnel, special protection units, explosive ordinance department, federal special anti-robbery squad, operatives of the criminal intelligence and investigation department, counterterrorism unit and marine section of the force are being deployed.
IGP maintained that the police force is committed to guiding the nation’s democracy.
He however assured that the security architecture that will be put in place in place will be civil enough to protect all political actors across the party divides.
He however assured that the security architecture that will be put in place in place will be civil enough to protect all political actors across the party divides.
He said: “at this juncture, let me note that the intelligence unit of the Nigeria police has conducted a comprehensive security analysis if Rivers state. The areas likely to present major security threat as well as individuals who are poised to make themselves available as political thugs to threaten the peaceful conduct of the electoral process have been identified.
“I can assure you that appropriate mechanisms have been duly emplaced to prevent the anti-democratic elements from manifesting their criminal intent.”
While noting that identified trouble makers will not be picked for now, IGP however said that the individuals have been placed under watch and will be forced to pick them up when they cross the threshold set for them.
He added, “our democracy has evolved to a level where political gladiators and electorates should allow morality, integrity, genuine national passion, service and above all, the dictates of paw to guide their actions. The days when political power is attained through the rule of violence rather than the rule of law and democratic value s are fading and our political actors that believe in turning citizens to political thugs and cannon folders to bear the fatal brunt of their political ambition should allow such thoughts to fade henceforth or be prepared to face the wrath of justice.”
He also used the opportunity to announce the restriction of movement during the re-run elections.
On why no political offender has been prosecuted so far in the country, Mr. Arase noted that the police is handicapped since it is not a criminal issue.
Meanwhile, INEC Chairman has assured the state of the commission’s preparedness to conduct the elections.
Yakubu said 24,930 ad-hoc staff have been engaged as part of the efforts to ensure a successful conduct on Saturday. He further noted that training has commenced for the ad-hoc members.
INEC Chair also revealed that none of the electoral officers currently posted as head of local government offices in the state will participate I the election.
While noting that non sensitive materials have been moved to the state, he announced that sensitive materials will be deployed to the state today.
Yakubu also used the opportunity to announce that card readers will be used for accreditation.
He also reiterated his call for the establishment of electoral offence tribunal.
No comments:
Post a Comment