POLICE ARREST 451 SUSPECTED ELECTORAL OFFENDERS
The police boss added further that, two police officers died while some others were assaulted and injured while discharging their duties during the polls,stating that the Special Election Investigation Team had been directed to investigate all the cases, liaising with electoral commission to ensure prosecution.
Penpushing further reports that, Adamu said the perpetrators of violence would be fished out and brought to justice no matter their status, and also reassured Nigerians and the international community of the commitment of the police to work closely with the electoral body and other sister security agencies towards a peaceful election.
The Inspector General of Police said the personnel of the force should remain civil, firm, professional and apolitical in the discharge of their duties, and equally warned all political actors against violence urging them to play the game in line with the Electoral Act.
His words,“Doing otherwise shall attract the full and appropriate response from the police and other security agencies,” and on the possibility of arming personnel at polling units during Saturday’s elections, the police boss insisted that no police personnel would be allowed to carry arms at polling units.
Penpushing also reports that, Adamu explained that it was against the electoral act and international law for officers to use arms at polling units, assuring that the police would continue to pay officers their allowances ahead of their deployment for election duty.
The Inspector General of Police explained that, the meeting was aimed at debriefing strategic commanders and evaluating the performances of officers during the last elections, adding that the meeting would also afford the force to perfect plans for the March 9 Governorship and State Assembly elections.
