By SaharaReporters, New York
The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr. MD Abubakar, today paid a working visit to Awka, the Anambra State capital, as part of efforts aimed at ensuring a successful and credible gubernatorial election next Saturday.
A statement said he addressed Police personnel serving and deployed to Anambra State for the election, and demanded of them professionalism within their areas of jurisdiction and to shun any conduct capable of staining the image of the Force.
Earlier, another police statement said that Mr. Abubakar had ordered a massive deployment of personnel and logistics the state for the election.
“To this end, the IGP has directed the DIG ‘B’ Department, DIG Philemon I. Leha, PSC – an officer with a robust operational background and former Commissioner of Police, Anambra State - to relocate to Awka for an effective coordination of all security operations for the election,” said the statement, signed by police spokesman Frank Mba.
The statement about his visit to Awka also announced his deployment of three Commissioners of Police: Usman Akila Gwarry, Isaac Chinonyerem Eke and Abdulmajid Ali to the state to supervise security arrangements in its three Senatorial Zones - Anambra Central, Anambra South and Anambra North.
“All striking units of the Force, including personnel of the Police Mobile Force (PMF), Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU), the Bomb Disposal Unit and the Police Air-Wing are to be deployed to strategic places,” Mr. Mba said of the security network to cover the over-4,000 polling units and all the collation centres. “While Aerial surveillance and patrols will be provided by the Police Air-Wing with the support of the Air-Force, all parts of the State linked to water ways, will be effectively patrolled by the Force Marine department, which will be ably supported by the Navy.”
He stressed that all policemen involved in election duty had been ordered to ensure that they work in line with the Police Code of Conduct and international best standards while those attached to VIPs and politicians involved in the election were also strongly warned not to conduct themselves in a manner capable of undermining the electoral process.
The IGP also appealed to the people of Anambra, especially the aspirants, to conduct peacefully themselves within the confines and requirements of the law.
“He challenged them to lead by example by helping to maintain a civil and tranquil atmosphere devoid of harassment and tension, and also advised parents and guardians to keep watchful eyes on their children and wards so that they are not deployed for illicit purposes under any guise, as the Force will not hesitate to deal with any miscreant and his ally or sponsor.
Consequently, all striking units of the Force, including personnel of the Police Mobile Force (PMF), Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU), the Bomb Disposal Unit and the Police Air-Wing are to be deployed to strategic places. While Aerial surveillance and patrols will be provided by the Police Air-Wing with the support of the Air-Force, all parts of the State linked to water ways, will be effectively patrolled by the Force Marine department, which will be ably supported by the Navy.
During the strategic stakeholders’ forum at the Women Development Centre, Awka, where Mr. Abubakar appeared along with the INEC chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, he urged the politicians and other relevant stakeholders to play by the rules of the game.
Among those at the event were the Anambra Resident Electoral Commissioner, Prof. Chukwuemeka Onukaogu, party chieftains, and the candidates.
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