Nigerian policemen: Going for election duty

The Inspector General of police, Solomon Arase has ordered the deployment of Marine Police, Anti-Bomb, Counter Terrorism Unit, Police Mobile Force, Force Intelligence Unit and Mounted Troops in readiness for the governorship election in Kogi state on Saturday.

Arase said the special forces  will  complement the conventional Police manpower on the ground. In addition, he  directed the AIG in charge of the Police Air Wing to deploy the Force’s helicopter for aerial patrol before, during and after the election on Saturday.

To coordinate police efforts, is the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Department of Operations, DIG Sotonye L. Wakama.

He has been asked to  relocate to Lokoja, the Headquarters of Kogi State so as to ensure adequate Police presence and coordination of all security operations for the election in all polling units and Collation Centres in the State.

 While addressing Stakeholders and Police officers and men on Tuesday  in Lokoja,  Arase gave  assurance  of the readiness of the Nigeria Police Force and other relevant security agencies to provide effective security and ensure a smooth and orderly conduct of the  governorship election.

He warned all trouble-makers and anti-social elements to stay away from the State throughout the period of the election as the Police will not hesitate to arrest and prosecute any person, no matter how highly placed in society, who flouts the law or causes a breach of the peace.

 He also  ordered all Police officers assigned to election duties in Kogi State to ensure they work in line with the Police Code of Conduct and international best practices.

He  appealed to  the public particularly politicians, gubernatorial candidates and other relevant stakeholders in the State to cooperate with the Police and other security agencies in the onerous but patriotic task of guaranteeing a hitch-free gubernatorial poll.