Ahead of Saturday’s re-run gubernatorial elections in three states whose results were declared inconclusive by INEC after the April 11 elections, Acting Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase has redeployed one Deputy Inspector General of Police, four Assistant Inspectors General of Police and seven Commissioners of Police to the three states to ensure violence free polls.
Consequently, One (1) Deputy Inspector-General of Police, One (1) Assistant Inspector-General of Police and Two (2) Commissioners of Police have been redeployed to Abia state; One (1) Assistant Inspector-General of Police and Three (3) Commissioners of Police redeployed to Imo state while two (2) Assistant Inspectors-General of Police and Two (2) Deputy Commissioners of Police are redeployed to Taraba state.
A statement from Force Headquarters noted that the IGP has sent a serious note of warning to all Officers involved in the re-run elections in Abia, Imo, Kogi, Delta and Taraba States to conduct themselves in line with established Standard Operational Guidelines.
While reminding officers to be above board and maintain the highest level of professionalism for which the Force has been widely commended both locally and internationally, the IGP warned that severe disciplinary sanctions would be meted out to any deviant officer who breaches the code of conduct.
Also, as part of efforts to ensure adequate security in the affected states, the IGP has ordered restriction on vehicular movements in Local Government Areas of Abia, Delta, Imo, Kogi and Taraba States where rerun of the ongoing general elections are scheduled to take place on Saturday, 25th of April, 2015 between the hours of 08.00am to 5.00pm.
“This restriction of vehicular movements order affects movements in and out of the areas where the rerun elections are to take place, except for Ambulances, Fire Service Trucks and others on essential duties. Consequently, travellers and citizens who intend to ply roads within those hours are advised to plan alternative routes.
The IGP also warned government officials and political office holders not to go to polling Units with uniformed orderlies or aides, while persons who have no business with voting must not be found within 300 metres of a polling unit.
The Police High Command said further that adequate security measures have been put in place by the deployments of additional senior officers, men and materials to supervise security of elections in the states.
“Meanwhile, citizens are enjoined to remain vigilant and report all suspicious movements or dealings to appropriate Police Authority” it said.
