Usman Baba, inspector-general of police (IGP), has ordered
the fresh distribution of anti-riot gear and equipment for officers handling
security for the 2023 elections.
The development was announced on Sunday in a statement by
Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the force public relations officer (PRO).
The directive comes weeks after Babagana Monguno, national
security adviser, had expressed concern over the spate of violence recorded
relating to election activities.
Amid recent attacks on facilities of the Independent
National Electoral Commission (INEC), security operatives had been deployed to
the commission’s facilities nationwide.
In the statement, Adejobi said the latest directive is part
of efforts to effectively tackle security threats as the country prepares for
the general election.
“The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba,
psc(+), NPM, NEAPS, fdc, CFR, has ordered all Commissioners of Police in charge
of State Police Commands to promptly activate the Inter-Agency Consultative
Committee on Election Security (ICCES) so as to engage all stakeholders in
evolving strategies for mitigating threats to the 2023 General Elections
process within their various areas of responsibility,” the statement reads.
“The IGP notes that political violence, hate speech,
threats, political intolerance, misinformation, and political extremism are all
potential threats to our democracy and national security interests, and
therefore urged all State Police Commissioners to work in synergy with other
members of the ICCES to reduce occurrence and threats of violence to its barest
minimum with swift prosecution of violators of extant electoral laws.
“The IGP has charged
all Commissioners of Police in charge of State Commands to ensure adequate and
strategic deployment of officers and assets, as well as coordinate, deploy, and
supervise officers from other security agencies scheduled for election duty, in
accordance with ICCES directives, to fortify all facilities of the Independent
National Electoral Commission (INEC) within their respective areas of
responsibility even as electoral materials are being relocated to such
facilities, to ensure the safety and security of INEC personnel and materials
before, during and after the 2023 General Elections and forestall attacks on
INEC facilities.
“Similarly, the IGP has ordered a fresh distribution of
gadgets, anti-riot gear, and personal protective equipment (PPE) for Police
Officers across the federation in preparation for the 2023 General Election
security management duty.
“The items include non-lethal weapons such as
electro-shocks, rubber bullets, water cannons, tear gas, riot guns etc., for
crowd control and to minimize casualty risk in eventual confrontations with
subversive elements.
“The Inspector-General of Police reaffirmed the commitment
of his administration to the protection of our democratic heritage and national
security interests, while he called on other security agencies and stakeholders
who constitute ICCES, as well as members of the public, to deliberately aid the
Nigeria Police Force in its drive to ensure the safety and security of all and
sundry before, during, and after the 2023 General Elections.”
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