Molly Kilete
The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Adamu, has said that 2 police officers were killed during the February 23 Presidential and National Assembly elections, while some others were assaulted and sustained various degrees of injuries.
Adamu further disclosed that 323 persons were arrested for various electoral offenses and sundry crimes across the country during the elections.
This revelation comes as the IGP has cautioned political actors against disrupting the peaceful conduct of the upcoming governorship elections, advising them to play by the rules.
Adamu made this known during his meeting with commissioners of police and other senior officers held at the police force headquarters in Abuja.
“Two officers paid the supreme sacrifice, while some others were assaulted and injured,” he stated.
“Updated statistics resulting from Presidential and National Assembly elections shows that a total of 323, offenders have so far been arrested for various electoral offences and sundry crimes across the country.”
The meeting is the first to be held by the IGP with commissioners and above after the February 23 presidential and National Assembly elections.
The IGP said the purpose of the meeting was to “debrief strategic police commanders and undertake a comprehensive evaluation of our performance during the Presidential and National Assembly elections which were held nationwide on 23 February, perfect our plans and allocate operational tasks towards the Governorship and State Assembly elections scheduled for 9th March, 2019, and to appreciate personnel of the Force across all ranks for their sacrifice, discipline, and exceptional professionalism which was demonstrated during the Presidential and National Assembly elections.”
While expressing his condolences and that of the entire police force to the families of personnel who lost their lives during the elections and those who sustained injuries, the IGP assured them that the perpetrators of the crimes would found out and brought to deserved justice regardless of their status.
Continuing, the IGP said “For those arrested for various electoral infractions, I have directed the Special Electoral Offences Team of the Force to undertake detailed and conclusive investigations into all the cases with a view to liaising with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in ensuring their prosecution.”
Speaking on preparations for the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections, the IGP said “we perfect our plans and I also want to reassure the nation and the international community of the unwavering commitment of the Police to work closely with INEC and sister security agencies towards guaranteeing a peaceful and secure space for Nigerians to exercise their electoral franchise.
“l must, however, re-emphasize that just as in the recently concluded Presidential and National Assembly elections, the Nigeria Police shall remain civil, firm, optimally professional and apolitical in the discharge of our duties in the 9th March, 2019 elections. We shall, nonetheless, deploy all lawful assets and assert our statutory powers to deal decisively, firmly, and promptly with any person or groups that may attempt to disrupt the process.
“Therefore, all political actors who might be preparing to threaten the peaceful conduct of the exercise are hereby firmly warned to play the game of politics by the rules as stipulated in the Electoral Act and to appreciate that national interest overrides their personal ambitions. Doing otherwise shall attract the full and appropriate response from the Police and other security agencies.”