IG spits fire, says police will use Edo election to show its might

Ahead of the September 10, Edo governorship election, Ibrahim Idris, acting Inspector General of Police has warned politicians of police readiness to crackdown on any one involved in any electoral offence.

He also called on members of different political groups to conduct themselves as law abiding citizens so as not to incur the wrath of policemen on ground as the election would be a test case for the ability of security agencies to provide adequate security.

This is as he disclosed that 23,000 policemen would be deployed to provide security for the election. He said 54 Coaster buses would be made ready to take the policemen to their various assigned points during the exercise.

Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of Operations, Joshak Habila, stated this on behalf of the acting IGP while addressing officers and men of the AIG Zone 5 and Edo State Police Command.

Read also: Edo 2016: Ize-Iyamu gets boost as SDP joins forces with PDP

“Armed tactical teams will be stationed few meters from some polling units because of the law barring holding of firearms at polling units by security operatives. We are also going to deploy more policemen to areas identified as flash points especially in the riverine areas.

“The IG is very passionate about the success of this election. You must be apolitical. The success of this election depends on you. Do not allow anything to deceive you not to do the right thing. Whosever causes trouble will be dealt with according to the law”.

Kolawole Sodipo, the AIG in charge of Zone 5, promised that the election would be successful and would serve as a reference point for other elections.

By Ebere Ndukwu …

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