2019: Perpetrate electoral malpractice, incur my wrath, Kwara CP warns officers
By Ahmed Ajikobi
Ahead of the forthcoming general elections, the Kwara State Commissioner of Police, Bashir Makama has read riot act to his officers not to get involve in electoral fraud.
According to him, any officer caught in the act will incur his wrath and be prosecuted in line with the rules and laws of the country.
He stated this during the lecture organised at the headquarters of the Kwara State Police Command, Ilorin on Monday, adding that it is the responsibility of security agencies to secure the life and property of the public before, during and after the general elections.
Makama said that there are two main actors in the election, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security adding that the security of INEC officials and members of the public fall back on the police, stressing that police is the head of security provider in an election.
“Police need to play the role of security for everyone. Police should not perpetrate electoral malpractice. If you go out of your way to do what you are not supposed to do and you are caught, I will squeeze you. If you fail to do the needful during election, you will be sanctioned.”
Makama added that the command has already addressed logistics, protection of INEC staff, materials and public members.
He said that the police will be with INEC at their Resident Area Centres (RACS) to protect them and the materials while also assuring the officers of availability of vehicles through the Road Transport Employees Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), to convey them around.
“Be assured of your security and anyone that touches my officers will be looking for my trouble. Any officer found guilty in electoral malpractice will be invited to the headquarters.
“Officers should not utter words that will lead to destabilise peace of the election and must not leave their duty post,” Makama said.
He added that the Police will be working in conjunction with other security agencies to combat vote buying, under age voting, and ballot snatching among others.
Meanwhile, the CP disclosed that policemen attached to politicians and high profile individuals would be withdrawn 24 hours to the elections stressing that any police found escorting politicians during the poll will be arrested.
