The Nigeria Police Force has assured eligible voters of its preparedness to maintain peace and tranquility throughout the 2023 electioneering process in Cross River State Command area of responsibility.
The Police Commissioner in Cross River State, southern Nigeria, Mr. Sule Balarabe gave the assurance when he played host to the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Cross River council, Mr. Nsa Gill and his team in his office.
Strategy
Mr Balarabe said that the police command has conducted a threat analysis of notable hotspots across the state and would be deploying tactical teams in synergy with sister agencies to maintain peace.
“The Cross River State Police Command has made adequate preparations towards the peaceful conduct of all political campaigns and 2023 general elections across the state before, during and after the election.”
“All the areas that we consider hotspots and vulnerable areas, the command has already conducted threat analysis to maintain peace in those areas. We also have taken measures against cultism and political thuggery in Cross River.
“We are going to do our best to ensure that we reduce to the barest minimum the effects of these crimes in the state because our tactical units have been reorganized on how to overcome the menace. We are making every effort to ensure that the 2023 election is the most peaceful in the country,” Balarabe stated.
The Police Commissioner further reiterated the commitment of the command to maintain professionalism, enhanced information gathering and sharing to flush out miscreants, criminal elements and saboteurs.
Balarabe promised to “Conscientiously operate on the principles of justice, equity and fairness as enshrined in the laws of the Nigerian and Cross River State government. The Herculean nature of our job will never be an excuse in carrying out our core constitutional mandate of protection of lives and property, prevention of crime and enforcement of law and order.”
He urged the public, corporate bodies and other institutions to support the police in safeguarding lives and property.
Protection
The Cross River NUJ Chairman, Mr. Gill, who welcomed the newly posted Police Commissioner to the state, commended the command for keeping law abiding citizens safe.
Gill urged the police not to rest on its oars especially as yuletide celebrations and political campaigns heightens in Cross River and expressed the hope that the commissioner would bring his wealth of experience to bare.
“I trust in the capacity of the Nigerian Police Force under your leadership to ensure that innocent and law abiding citizens are protected during this yuletide period and especially as political activities have commenced leading up to next year’s election.
“We know that those, who perpetuate crimes, do not rest and urge you and your officers and men not to rest on your oars in keeping Cross River State safe and secure,” he added.
