Paul Orude Bauchi
Bauchi State Police Command has denied the allegation by the main opposition party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of alleged plan to arrest its gubernatorial candidate, Senator Bala Mohammed Abdulkadir.
The PDP Chairman in the state Hamza Akuyam, had alleged that information at their disposal revealed a plan to cause confusion in the election that will lead to the arrest of Senator Mohammed and place him under house arrest till after the gubernatorial and State Assembly elections on Saturday.
The State Police Commissioner, Ali Aji Janga, said that the allegation was baseless and unfounded
He said: “How can we arrest a candidate standing election for doing nothing? The Command does not have that plan, all we want is a peaceful conduct of the election, even more peaceful than the last one”.
Janga who addressed Journalists on the preparations of the Command for the election disclosed that a total of over 5000 personnel will be deployed to all the 20 local government areas of the state.
He added that the Command will operate in conjunction with other sister security agencies to maintain law and order before, during and after the elections.
He therefore warned private security agencies including vigilante groups, local hunters and the likes to steer clear of the polling areas declaring that it is not their responsibility to do so just as he warned VIPs not to go to the polling areas with their security details.
On the complaints by politicians about the operation style of the state security outfit, Rapid Response Squad (RRS) , the Police Commissioner said that every state has such outfits saying however that the complaints are more because of the political situation now assuring that “I will investigate all the complaints and take appropriate action on the Squad”.
Janga added that as from 12 midnight all movements will be restricted but only people on essential duties, observers both domestic and international and electorate will be allowed to move around with adequate Police cover just as he called on the people to be peaceful and law abiding.