By Christopher Oji
Lagos State Police Command has warned politicians and thugs to steer clear of violence during, and after the General Elections slated for February 25 and March 11 or risk the wrath of the Force.
Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Alabi, gave the warning during a stakeholders meeting on Election security, at Police Officers Wives (POWA) Hall, Ikeja.
He said the meeting was crucial to rub minds on issues that would affect political activities in the state.
CP Alabi warned political thugs, cultists, and other trouble makers,to steer clear of pooling booths or be ready to face the full weight of the law.
He said: “I want advise political leaders who are here to go back home,and warn their supporters, that the police are fully ready to deal with anyone caught fomenting trouble in the state. I also, want to warn that anybody who has no business at pooling units, should remain indoors, or risk the wrath of the police. I equally want to warn politicians to play by the rules of the game, as anybody caught doing the contrary, no matter how highly placed, will be visited by the law. Parents, should equally warn their children to be law abiding, because we won’t listen to anybody when we arrest any trouble makers. I repeat, warn your children to stay away from troubles all through the electoral processes, because we won’t listen to anyone when we pick trouble makers.
“Go back to your wards and advise your men to play the game according to the rules, because we are not going to spare anybody when trouble makers are caught. On the area of cultists, that is what we are battling in Lagos; we want to assure you that no cultist or political thug, will be allowed in the state. We are going to ensure that no political party supporters be will be intimidated in the state. I am impressed with the way the political parties conducted themselves here, I want you to do same during ,and after the elections.We are not going to allow anyone to compromise at the pooling until.
“ Whoever that wants to apply for police protection should do so. We want to encourage level playing ground to all political parties, and those whose banners were damaged or removed should report to us at the police command.
“Any policeman who is supporting a political party to have upper hand on other parties, would not be allowed to go scot free. I want you to see police as your own, give us information, and cooperation to work with you. We would also discourage brutality and we would continue to work with you and guarantee your security.
“Anywhere you notice miscreants harassing your supporters, please put it to our noticed, we have flash points we are focusing on especially Lagos Island, Ikorodu, Mushin ,and other areas in the state.”
The Lagos State Residents Electoral Commissioner, Mr. Olusegun Agbaje, who is represented by the Administrative Secretary, Mr. Adebisi Oladapo, said the INEC was very ready for the election, but pleaded that politicians should play the game according to rules of the election.
“Everything is ready, the BVAS is also ready, we used it in Ekiti and Osun states, and its worked; it will work in Lagos ,and other parts of the country. We will not disappoint Nigerians during the election”.
Other security and paramilitary agencies that participated in the meeting included: Civil Defence , Fedral Road Safty Corps (FRSC), Nigeria Immigration Service , Nigeria Prison Service, the Nigerian Army, Department of State Service (DSS), and other para military agencies in the state.