DIGs warn hoodlums, politicians against electoral misconduct

As eligible Nigerians go to the polls today, the Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) in charge of the Security in the Southeast, Mr. Michael Ogbizi, has warned politicians and their supporters in the zone to be mindful of their conducts before, during and after the polls.

Ogbizi gave the warning while fielding questions from journalists after meeting with security chiefs, politicians and other stakeholders in the electoral process, stressing that the Police would apply the necessary measures to ensure a hitch-free general elections.

He stressed that the Police and other security operatives would be decisive against hoodlums and any one caught would be punished according to the law.

The Police chief disclosed that the suspects caught recently in fake military uniforms were undergoing investigation, adding that details would be made known as soon as investigation was concluded and the needful done.

He said: “The essence of this meeting is to underscore the importance of this election. We have a directive to ensure that no one subverts the election process and we will not allow that to happen.

“We are assuring the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the voters of adequate security during and after the elections. We urge the people to come out and vote for candidates of their choice without fear of intimidation.”

Also, Commander of the 34 Artillery Brigade in Obinze, near Owerri, Brig-Gen. Hamza Bature, has warned against announcement election results by unauthorised persons or establishments, as it is the constitutional responsibility of the officials of the INEC to authorise announcement of election results, warning that announcement of fake results, which was capable of triggering crisis, would not be condoned.

In Kebbi State, the DIG in charge of Research and Planning at Force Headquarters, Abuja, Mr. Aminchi S. Baraya, called on politicians to shun the vote-buying to ensure free and fair elections.

Baraya, while addressing members of the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC), in Birnin Kebbi, yesterday, urge Police officers monitoring the election to go along with their food items and not to collect anything from anybody to ensure their safety and protection of voters and INEC officials on duty.

He instructed them to arrest anybody wanting to steal ballot papers or boxes, adding: “You don’t need to be afraid, because the law has given you power to do your job.”

Baraya also charged Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) to protect corps members attached to polling units for the elections.