• IG denies death of policemen during Bayelsa polls
CONSEQUENT to Boko Haram insurgents’ resort to attack on soft targets, the Federal Government has charged the leadership of the Nigeria Police to beef up security around vulnerable places across the country.

At the event, the Inspector General of Police (IGP) debunked reports that policemen were killed during the Bayelsa supplementary elections last Saturday, saying three (3) people died during the rescheduled polls.

Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, who gave the charge yesterday in Abuja when he paid a visit to the Inspector General of Police (IGP) at the Force headquarters said that the resort by the insurgents to attack exposed and seemingly unsecured places, having been reduced militarily in all fronts, calls for proactive safety measures and strengthened security.
“As we have told Nigerians on many occasions, our military has decimated Boko Haram and uprooted them from the territories they once controlled. What the terrorists are now engaged in are attacks on soft targets, vulnerable places like markets, motor parks, as well as worship and entertainment centres, etc.

“Herein lies the important task of the police, the body statutorily given the role of maintaining law and order. The police, leveraging its large network, its investigative capacity and the fact that its personnel reside largely among the people, are now required to step in to protect these vulnerable places. This they can do by working with transport workers, market women, local government councils and police public community relations councils, faith-based organizations, community development councils and other necessary stakeholders,’’ he said.

Responding, IGP Solomon Arase said the broad spectrum of the ministry would be most useful to the police in carrying out their constitutional responsibilities and appropriately creating the required awareness to the Nigeria public about new initiatives armed at enhancing security and community partnership.

He urged the Minister to support the Police leadership in the drive to modernize the force by placing at its disposal all assets of the Ministry of Information and culture towards advancing the initiatives.