Kebbi Police Command Promises Absolute Neutrality In Guber Election, Warns Anti-Democratic Elements
The Kebbi State Police Command has promised to be absolutely neutral in the March 18 governorship election taking place across 28 States of Nigeria including Kebbi.
In a statement signed by Kebbi Police Command spokesman, Superintendent Nafiu Abubakar, and made available to journalists at the State capital , Birnin Kebbi, the Command explained that to achieve a hitch free election gubernatorial and State House of Assembly elections in Kebbi State, the Inspector General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, has deployed Assistant Inspector General of Police, AIG Bello Makwashi to supervise, coordinate and ensure adequate security architecture in zone 10 Headquarters, Sokoto, which comprise Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara States respectively.
To achieve this, the supervising AIG has had crucial meeting with Heads of security Agencies in the state, alongside with the Resident Electoral Commissioner, where challenges recorded during the last Elections were discussed and modalities on how to enhance conducive atmosphere for free, fair, credible, peaceful and acceptable elections were also provided. AIG Bello Makwashi appreciated the existing cordial working relationship among security Agencies in Kebbi State and called on them to sustain the tempo for the security, safety and socio-economic development of the good people of the state.
Similarly, AIG Bello Makwashi had an interactive session with Area Commanders and DPOs of the Command, where he directed them to exhibit a high level of neutrality, professionalism and abide by the Revised Force standard operational guidelines for Police Officers and other Law Enforcement Agents on election duty. He however warned officers to be civil, apolitical and mindful of their conduct in conformity with the Human rights of the peace loving people of kebbi State.
In the same vein, the Commissioner of Police on election duty, kebbi State Commamd, CP Lawal Abubakar, has directed the Area Commanders and DPOs to ensure adequate security coverage of all the polling units and collation centers in the State by deploying police and other security personnel with a view to prevent thuggery and other electoral offenses.
CP Abubakar, who directed officers to ensure strict restriction of vehicular movement from 12am-6pm on election day towards having a hitch free electoral process, called on the parents and guardians to warn their children and wards not to engage in any form of violence, political thuggery or attempt to snatch ballot boxes, as the Command in collaboration with other security agencies are ready to deal decisively with such anti democratic behaviour.
“The restriction of movement of persons and vehicles will commence from 12 am to 6 pm of Saturday, 18th March, 2023, with the exception of essential services such as INEC Officials, electoral observers, ambulances responding to medical emergencies, firefighters, among others.
Similarly, security aides and escorts to V. I. Ps are also barred from accompanying their principals to the polling booths and collation centres during the elections, as anyone found disobeying this order will be severely sanctioned.
The ban on the unauthourised use of sirens, revolving lights, covered number plates and tinted glasses is still in force, and violators will be arrested and prosecuted appropriately,” Kebbi Police Command warned.
