The Inspector General of Police,
Ibrahim Idris on Friday refuted claims that security agencies harassed and
arrested election observers and journalists in the just concluded governorship
election in Osun State.
Idris insisted that no election
observer and journalists were arrested by his men during the just concluded
election.
In a statement issued by the
Force spokesperson, Jimoh Moshood, Idris also commended men of the Force for
their professionalism during the election.
The statement reads, “The
Inspector General of Police, IGP Ibrahim K. Idris, NPM, mni has expressed
utmost satisfaction with the implementation of the Robust Security Arrangement
for the Osun State Gubernatorial Election and commends the Deputy Inspector
General of Police, Department of Operations, the entire Police Personnel,
Officers and Men of other Security and Safety Agencies under the Inter-Agency
Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) deployed for Election
Security during the just concluded Osun State Gubernatorial Election on
Saturday, 22nd September, 2018, and the Re-run election of Thursday, 27th
September, 2018.
“The IGP appreciates the
commitment and civility of the entire security personnel in ensuring adequate
security and conducive environment for a credible Gubernatorial Election in
Osun State.
“The IGP further extols the
high-level professionalism, politeness, firmness and unbiased conducts of the
Police Personnel, before, during and after the election. The Nigeria Police
Force equally appreciates the law-abiding attitude and peaceful conduct of the
good people of Osun State, the Independent National Electoral Commission
(INEC), Election Monitors/Observers, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), the
Media and other critical stakeholders for a good working relationship with the
security personnel deployed for the election. The good disposition and spirit
of sportsmanship exhibited by most of the political parties in the election
which doused fear and tensions during the election is gratifying and highly
commendable.
“As a lead security agency in
election security in a democracy, the IGP further commends the entire security
personnel deployed for the election for their personal sacrifice, collective
patriotism and commitment in ensuring that the election was conducted in an
atmosphere of peace devoid of any breach of public peace and security
throughout the period of the election, the Commissioners of Police and their
personnel in the States contiguous to Osun State who were placed on Red Alert
by the Inspector General of Police are equally appreciated.
“The impressive performance of
the Police personnel to ensure law and order and a successful election is a
clear testimony of the capability of the Nigeria Police Force in its renewed
commitment to continue to adhere to International Best Practices in the conduct
of elections in the country now and in the future.
“It is imperative to state that,
there was no any Election Observer, Journalist or Electorate arrested, detained
or prevented from carrying out their statutory civic responsibilities/duties
during the period of the Election. There were also no official complaints of
violence or injury to persons reported by any individual(s)/group at any Police
Station/Division in all the Seven (7) Units where the re-run election were held
on 27th September 2018, however, any member of the public with any complain now
should do so at the nearest Police Station for immediate investigation.
“Members of the public are hereby
implored to disregard and discountenance claims in some certain sections of the
media that the security agencies intimidate Journalists, Election Observers and
voters during the re-run election as untrue, unfounded and entirely hear-say.
“The Nigeria Police Force will
continue to sustain and improve on the election security successes recorded in
the Gubernatorial Elections in Edo, Ondo, Anambra, Ekiti States and the just
concluded Gubernatorial Election in Osun State as an index for the conduct of
subsequent elections in the Country.”
"Politeness, firmness and unbiased conduct" does that sound like Nigerian police?
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