IGP promises violence-free elections in Kogi, Imo, Bayelsa

Dismantles illegal checkpoints, vows justice for slain Rivers DPO

The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has assured residents of the three states holding their gubernatorial elections on November 11 of adequate security and violence-free exercise.
   
The affected states are Bayelsa, Kogi and Imo. Giving the assurance today during a meeting with strategic police managers, yesterday, in Abuja, the IGP explained that with just three states having their polls, the force would not be burdened, as adequate personnel are on ground.
 
He, therefore, advised the electorate to play by the rule and shun aggression. Egbetokun acknowledged the challenge posed by the continued presence of unauthorised persons on the nation’s highways in the guise of revenue collection and other shady activities to obstruct flow of traffic, seize vehicles and impose fines.
 
Consequently, he said: “All state Commissioners of Police are hereby directed to immediately commence the dismantling of all such non-security checkpoints within their areas of responsibilities, and arrest all violators for prompt prosecution.
 
“To bolster accountability and transparency within the Force, we have taken steps such as reinforcing the IGP Monitoring Unit and the Complaint Response Unit (CRU) based at the Force Headquarters, and efforts are ongoing to establish CRU offices in all states.”
  
Reacting to the gruesome killing of a Divisional Police Officer (DPO), SP Bako Angbashim, in Rivers State, the IGP stated the Force has put everything in place to ensure arrest and trial of the perpetrators.