Statements of Police, NSCDC on Security Arrangement
Police Boss Directs DIGs to Coordinate Security Personnel
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.
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NSCDC Restrategises, Sets Up Situation Room
Following the rescheduled Presidential and National Assembly elections, the Commandant General of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Abdullahi Gana Muhammadu, has restated the Corps readiness to guarantee a credible and hitch free election through effective security coverage.
He made this known while commending the Management Staff and the Corps personnel on their swift compliance with the deployment order before the election was rescheduled. Stating further that he was satisfied with the commitment selflessness and determination of the Deputy Commandant Generals and Assistant Commandant Generals deployed to the six geo-political zones to head the election monitoring team set up by the Commandant General as well as the reshuffled State Commandants.
He charged the officers to continue to be law abiding and be dutifully committed to the service of the nation by providing adequate security before, during and after the polls. He admonished them to maintain high level of civility and diplomacy while dealing with the civil populace by reassuring them of their safety, as the presence of security personnel around polling stations is to maintain peace, law and order and not for intimidation.
The Corps Chief Executive seized the opportunity to brief the personnel on the need for feedback and situation report from the field to the situation room set up at the Corps National Headquarters via the various numbers to be contacted in case of emergency: 08036171885, 07030647190, 08036223627, 08034984016, 08033711199. He urged the personnel and the general public to feel free to call the numbers in case of any complaints and challenges encountered in the field for prompt action.
He encouraged the electorates not to disenfranchise themselves but to ensure that they vote for the candidate of their choice without fear of molestation, harassment and embarrassment
However, he warned those intending to disrupt the electioneering processes through act of thuggery, ballot box snatching, hate speeches, campaign of calumny to desist as the law is no respecter of anyone. Therefore, it is better to be a victor than to become a victim.
He charged personnel deployed to protect the Critical National Assets and Infrastructure to be more vigilant and not allow hoodlums and vandals take advantage of the election to perpetrate their nefarious activities by vandalising the infrastructure.
In his riot act to vandals, he encouraged them to desist or relocate out of the country as there is no safe haven for them.
DCC Emmanuel Okeh
CDPRO
