Mbu damns immunity, may deal with ‘unruly’ govs

The controversial cop, who was recently posted to oversee Zone 2, of the Nigeria Police, Joseph Mbu, has warned that his men will set aside the immunity clause in the Constitution, and arrest any governor or politician with unruly attitude during the forthcoming elections. Mbu, an Assistant Inspector-General of Police, while addressing men of the command during an official visit to the Ogun State police command headquarters, Eleweran, in Abeokuta, Ogun State, ordered his men who would be on electoral duty, to arrest promptly anyone caught with arms near the voting centres. He said, “As far as the law is concerned, we are not going to respect anybody and whoever is coming to the booth should vote and leave peacefully. “Our actions and activities will go a long way to decide on this election, so, I have come to tell you that we must remain impartial in ensuring free, fair, peaceful and violent-free polls. “Anyone who comes there to campaign, even if it is the chief executive of the state, a constable at that polling booth would stop him.” While noting that the police have a critical role to play in the electioneering process, he said, “I am here to encourage, support and advice you because we have a critical part to play in the forthcoming elections”. According to him, the elections in his zone will be “fire for fire” if politicians play any pranks, and instructed his men to be battle-ready for the election. While warning politicians to have a second thought over any planned criminal act, Mbu said if any of his men were shot, no less than twenty civilians would pay for it. “If one of my men is killed, I shall kill twenty of them but don’t shoot first,” Mr. Mbu said. “If they shoot you, shoot back in self-defence. Anybody who fires you, fire him back in self-defence.” He told his men that they were the only authority that has power to arrest, before, during and after elections. “You have the power to stop the governor,” he said. “We are in a critical period. We are not para-military. We must be bold and brave. Keep an eagle eye on everybody. We are authorised by the constitution to arrest before, during and after election. Our role is to ensure free, fair and violence free election.”

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