Ahead of the 2023 general elections, the Inspector General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba has urging parents and guardians to counsel their children and wards to resist the urge of being recruited to become tools that could be used to attempt to disrupt the electoral process.
The IGP said this on Monday 13 February 2023 while addressing Commissioners of Police (CPs) and Assistant Inspectors General of Police (AIGs) for the first time this year regarding the elections, at Force Headquarters, Abuja.
While directing all Strategic Police Managers to preclude the activities of quasi-security agents, who may be employed by politicians, from participating in the electoral process, IGP said the meeting is very important at this critical moment of national democracy, to review the internal security of the country and re-assess NPF strategies towards the imminent 2023 General Elections.
To ensure that police personnel and other security Agencies to be deployed for the elections have a clear knowledge of their roles and operate within acceptable legal and ethical standards which are in line with international best practices, the IGP also ordered the distribution of the recently compiled and printed handbooks, titled: ‘Revised Standard Operational Guidelines/Rules for Police Officers and Other Law Enforcement Agents on Election Security Duties’.
IGP asked all Heads of Departments, Commands and Formations who are yet to collect their copies to ensure they do so and make the content of the handbook subject of lecture to personnel prior to their deployments for the election duties, with strict warnings against unprofessional conducts during the elections.
"Likewise, ensure that you closely monitor the illict activities of Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF),National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), “Amotekun”, “Ebube Agu” and Hunter’s Association and other State owned security outfits with a view to checkmating their activities within your jurisdictions", he stressed.
The IGP also advised them to put machineries in motion that will in the most proactive manner identify, isolate, apprehend and bring to deserved justice any political actor or their foot-soldiers who may be planning to engage in any form of political violence at political rallies, during the casting of votes and after the conclusion of the electoral process.
He stressed and warned, that as much as Police will Police the election in the most civil and rule of law compliant manner, "we shall remain apolitical and leave no one in doubt of our desire to give effect to the charge of Mr. President to ensure free, fair and credible elections across the nation".
The IGP also called on all personnel to conduct themselves within the dictates of the Electoral Act and other laws, reassure the citizens of this nation, of the Police’s unwavering commitment to a peaceful, secure, free, fair and credible elections.
He reassured to provide responsible and responsive leadership that will address fears of crimes and engender unified Police Citizens cooperation on the war against crimes in the country.
He noted that the Nigeria Police, working with the Military and other security agencies will not allow any person or group, no matter how highly or lowly placed in the society, to derail the electoral process.