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I-G orders policemen nationwide to be neutral during campaigns
I-G orders policemen nationwide to be neutral during campaigns
Inspector-General of Police (I-G), Mr Usman Baba, has directed all police personnel in the country to be neutral in all processes for the 2023 general elections.
Baba gave the directive on Thursday in Abuja at the opening of a conference for Strategic Police Managers, consisting of officers from the rank of Commissioners of Police and above.
He also directed them to always be alert during security deployments for the elections and exhibit high degree of professionalism and fairness in dealings with all political parties.
“We are also expected to adopt a professional orientation that emphasises democratic values and respect for human rights and dignity,” he added.
Baba reminded all police personnel that their mandate was to protect the electorates against illegal acts and discharge policing duties without discrimination.
“As critical actors in the electoral process, the credibility of the 2023 general election will be measured by the extent to which we abide by professional and legal standards.
“It will also be measured by our decisions and actions as we interface with political parties in emplacing appropriate machineries to guarantee a peaceful electioneering campaign process.
“We must leave no citizen in doubt of our commitment to national peace and security, as well as our determination to advance the democratic and national security interests of the country,” he said.
The I-G called on the conference participants to familiarise themselves with the Electoral Act and Code of Conduct and Rules of Engagement for Security Personnel on electoral duties.
Baba urged the officers to situate their decisions and actions within the provisions of the Electoral Act and the Code, as well as other obligations contained in the Constitution, Nigeria Police Act, and other extant laws.
“All quasi-security outfits that were established by the various state governments and local communities, operating under different nomenclatures, structures and orientations have no legal roles in the Electoral Act 2020.
“Hence, you are charged to ensure that they are not in any way or manner utilised by any political or community actor for any role during the electioneering campaign and other electoral processes.
“Such will amount to acts in illegality and a potent threat to national security which could be inimical to our nation’s democratic interest,” he added.
Baba ordered CPs across the 36 states and FCT to liaise with Resident Electoral Commissioners and political party leaderships in their various states to come up with campaign timetables.
He said the idea was to address possible conflicts both in date, time, and venues during campaigns.
“Political Parties campaign timetable for each State should be forwarded to the Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIG) in charge Operations for collation.
“The comprehensive layout of the timetable must be forwarded to the office of the I-G, not later than Sept. 27.
“You must also submit your Election Security Action Plan that will detail your deployment plans for the security of all the venues of the political campaigns as they affect your commands,” he said.
The I-G called on political actors to subsume their campaigns within extant legal frameworks, avoid actions or speeches that could inflame the political order and cooperate with the Police to ensure peaceful electioneering process.
He warned individuals whose perception of democracy was the application of violence to have a rethink, adding that the Police was committed to dealing firmly with such characters within the dictates of the law.
I-G orders policemen nationwide to be neutral during campaigns
One killed as gunmen attack passenger bus in ohimini, Benue
By: Zagazola Makama
The Benue State Police Command has confirmed that one passenger was killed when suspected armed bandits attacked a commercial bus in Ohimini Local Government Area of the state in the early hours of Wednesday.
A police source said the incident occurred at about 2:00 a.m. on Feb. 5 at Ojali community in Ohimini LGA.
The bus, an 18-seater Hummer Bus with registration number GME 911 XE (Gombe), was reportedly conveying passengers from Akwa Ibom State to Gombe State when it came under attack.
“The vehicle was driven by one Musa Jibrin. On reaching Ojali, unknown gunmen opened fire from the bush on the moving bus. One passenger, identified as Sanusi Danmaji, 30, was shot and killed,” the source said.
He added that no passenger was abducted during the attack.
Following the incident, the Divisional Police Officer in Ohimini mobilised a patrol team alongside other tactical units to the scene.
Photographs were taken and the surrounding bushes were combed in a bid to track down the attackers for possible arrest.
The driver and the remaining passengers were later allowed to continue with their journey.
The command said the case had been transferred to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for further investigation.
Police urged travellers to remain vigilant and report suspicious movements to the nearest security formation.
One killed as gunmen attack passenger bus in ohimini, Benue
Ten killed, five missing as police assess attack on abandi community in Benue
By: Zagazola Makama
The Benue State Police Command says the death toll from the attack on Abande community in Kwande Local Government Area has risen to 10, while five persons are still missing.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Okon Asuquo, in charge of Operations, led a reinforcement team on a spot assessment to the border community on Feb. 4 at about 5:10 p.m., following the attack which occurred on Feb. 3 at about 3:20 p.m. on the community’s market day.
The assessment team, which included officials of the Benue State Government, the Director-General of Homeland Security and the Executive Chairman of Kwande LGA, faced difficulties accessing the area by road due to the terrain and its proximity to the Cameroon border and Taraba State.
During the visit, two additional bodies were recovered, bringing the total number of confirmed deaths to 10. The corpses were evacuated to the Jato-Aka Mortuary.
Police said the president of the Nyier-Ya Development Association, Dr Joseph Hembafer Akanyi, spoke on behalf of the community and alleged that some elements across the Mengeh Mountain had been conspiring with armed Fulani bandits to attack Abande community over the years.
In his response, DCP Asuquo assured residents of adequate security, stressing the need for sustained military and police presence to protect the Nigeria–Cameroon border and block suspected access routes used by bandits.
He urged youths to remain calm, shun actions that could provoke further violence and cooperate with the tactical teams already deployed to the area.
“As of now, five persons are still missing, and search-and-rescue operations are ongoing,” a police source said.
Traditional rulers, elders and youths of the community, including Zaaku Zegelu Yengen and Zaaki Agba, were present during the assessment.
The command said the area remained relatively calm as monitoring and security operations continued.
Ten killed, five missing as police assess attack on abandi community in Benue
News
Two security personnel killed, two missing in attack on operation enduring peace team in Plateau
Two security personnel killed, two missing in attack on operation enduring peace team in Plateau
By: Zagazola Makama
Suspected bandits attacked a joint security team of Operation Enduring Peace in Zurak community, Wase Local Government Area, killing two personnel and carting away their rifles.
Sources said the incident occurred on Feb. 3 at about 1:00 p.m. when unknown gunmen ambushed the team while on duty in the area.
The victims were identified as Inspector Igba Terseer (AP/No. 302410) of the 66 Police Mobile Force (PMF), Shendam, and a soldier attached to Operation Enduring Peace.
“The attackers opened fire on the personnel, killed the inspector and a soldier, and made away with their rifles. Two other soldiers are still missing,” the source said.
On receipt of the report, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Bashar mobilised and led a team of police officers, in collaboration with other security agencies, to the scene.
The sources said intensive efforts were ongoing to rescue the missing personnel, arrest the perpetrators and recover the stolen firearms.
Two security personnel killed, two missing in attack on operation enduring peace team in Plateau
One killed as gunmen attack passenger bus in ohimini, Benue
Ten killed, five missing as police assess attack on abandi community in Benue
Two security personnel killed, two missing in attack on operation enduring peace team in Plateau
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