The Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, has urged the personnel participating in elections to remain resilient and apolitical against any form of intimidation likely to threaten the rights of electorates before, during and after the general elections.
The IGP made the call when he addressed joint security operatives at Police Headquarters in Sokoto State.
According to him, President Muhammadu Buhari remains committed and resilient in leaving a political legacy of conducting free, fair, and credible polls in the country.
Alkali Baba who was represented by Deputy Inspector General in Charge of North West Geo-political, comprising seven states of Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Sokoto, Kebbi and Jigawa, Hafiz Muhammad Inuwa, said every Nigerian would have an equal right to vote a candidate of his choice.
“No Nigerian will be disenfranchised. We will strictly maintain the law and others for peace to reign.
“Every eligible voter has the peaceful right to freely choose a leader of his choice without intimidation,” he noted.
He said Nigeria was the immediate constituency of the police and must ensure every electorate was secured and protected.
He explained that every political class should fast-track a responsive meeting with all their supporters for a peaceful election devoid of chaos or rancor.
“We on our part, will ensure effective and efficient synergy with proactive measures alongside other security agencies in securing the nation as our primary responsibility even beyond the elections,” he explained.
DIG Inuwa seeks the support of the media towards proper public enlightenment on the readiness and workable synergy of the police with other security agencies to strengthen its capacity at providing adequate security before, during and after elections.
In his remarks, the Commissioner of Police in Sokoto state, Ussaini Gumel, said the command has fully prepared towards providing a peaceful environment before, during and after the exercise.
Gumel noted that the command was able to set up a committee that comprises all heads of security agencies in the state to re-strategise and sensitise all political stakeholders and the public on the need for the peaceful conduct of elections.
He said the committee identified and mapped out measures toward taming possible threats in flash points and high risks areas in the state.
He further added that the committee had also strengthened effective collaboration to ensure violence-free elections across the state.
Dominica Nwabufo
