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IGP orders tight security after drunk burnt INEC office

By Kanayo Umeh (Abuja), Isa Abdulsalami Ahovi (Jos) and Abiodun Fagbemi (Ilorin)
11 February 2019   |   4:11 am
The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Adamu, has ordered watertight and round-the-clock security for all Independent National...

Acting Inspector General of Police IGP Mohammed Adamu

• New Kwara CP pledges fairness
The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Adamu, has ordered watertight and round-the-clock security for all Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) facilities nationwide.

Commissioners of Police (CPs) in the 36 states and Abuja have been directed to put in place adequate, functional and purposeful security arrangements aimed at protecting all INEC offices and materials from all forms of crimes and mischief, before, during and after the elections.

In a statement yesterday in Abuja, Zonal Assistant Inspectors General of Police (AIGs) have also been mandated to monitor compliance level of commands under their jurisdiction with this directive, and ensure that no breach of security of any kind occurs within and around INEC facilities under their watch. The order takes immediate effect.

Electoral materials were destroyed in a fire reportedly caused by a drunk security man at the INEC office in Qua’an Pan Council of Plateau State yesterday.

INEC’s head of department (voter education and publicity) in the state, Osaretin Imajiyereobo, who confirmed the incident, did not disclose when it happened.

He said that Plateau INEC administrative secretary, Rasheed Gbadamasi, would lead a team to assess the incident.

“A drunk security man was said to have caused the fire outbreak. The office is completely burnt with all its content i.e. ballot boxes, generators serviced and filled with fuel, cubicles, new electronic and manual voters register, PVCs, materials and other materials yet to be identified,” he added.

Meanwhile, the new Kwara CP, Kayode Egbetokun, has assured the peace-loving people of the state of his desire to uphold the principles of equity and rule of law, just as he told criminal elements in the state to relocate or be prepared for war.

Egbetokun, few hours after his assumption of duties in Ilorin yesterday, briefed reporters before proceeding on a closed-door meeting with his officers.

He promised to rely on the cooperation of the people of the state and his “fantastic officers” on the ground to achieve his desire of a peaceful and a crime-free society, noting that he would leave the state with honour and dignity at the end of his tenure of office.

“I am here in Kwara to discharge my duties with honour and integrity. I believe in the rule of law and principles of integrity. Policing is a function of the society. For the force to succeed, therefore, the people must support the force. I therefore want to appeal to our people in Kwara to support us.”

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