The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, NPM, NEAPS, fdc, CFR, has, in a bid to enhance operational capacity of the Command to provide adequate security throughout the Governorship election and beyond, graciously approved and allocated Personnel Protective Gadgets and Anti-riot equipment to the Command.
The Plateau State Commissioner, Elections Monitoring, CP Mammam Dauda, disclosed this Friday while addressing journalists at a press briefing held at state headquarters Jos, the state capital ahead of the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly Elections.
He said, “As we speak, we have received the first batch of the equipments while the second batch is being conveyed from the Force Headquarters, Abuja to the Command. I have directed the Command Operations Officer to immediately deploy and distribute the first batch of the gadgets to Area Commands, Divisional Police Headquarters, and other Tactical Squads for effective use, and to do same upon the arrival and inspection of the second batch. The gadgets are here for your inspection.
“The Nigeria Police Force along with other security agencies have made adequate arrangements to provide the citizens with the needed security and enabling environment to exercise their franchise. Adequate deployment of over 10,500 security personnel drawn from the Nigeria Police, the Military, NSCDC, NIS, NCS, NDLEA, Federal Fire Service, to the 4,989 polling units have been made.
“While the military will cordon the entire state, in compliance with the restriction of movement on Election Day. They will as well be seen strategically within the towns to enhance security of lives and property. I would like to use this medium to warn all political actors to warn their members/followers to desist from any act that is capable of inciting the general public to cause violence in any part of the state, as the Command will do anything within the ambit of the law to stop their activities from coming to fruition”, he warned.
The CP, therefore, called on all religious leaders, most especially our pastors and imams to desist from making inciting statements to their congregants that would be capable of disrupting the peace currently enjoyed by the good people of Plateau State. “They should be informed that measures have already been put in place by the Command to ensure that their activities will be curtailed before, during and after the electioneering period.
“To our traditional rulers, parents/guardians, I urge you to speak with your subjects, children and wards to avoid any form of utterance or behavior that has a tendency of causing a bridge of the peace. I warn you to ensure that your followers and wards are well behaved throughout the electioneering period and stay away from any form of thuggery as the Plateau State Police Command under my watch, will not condone any form of misconduct”, he advised.
Mamman, however, warned all police personnel and other security agencies in the state, against being partisan in the election process and that they should strictly be neutral and apolitical in the discharge of their duty, as any officer found wanting would be dealt with severely according to the Police Act and Regulations.
“I warn you to carry out your duties diligently in accordance with the set guidelines. You must be at your duty post during the election and accompany all materials to the rack and collation centers. You must not leave your duty posts until you have received a stand down order.
