Police unveil security plans for election campaign

The Inspector General of Police (IGP) Ibrahim Idris has directed the implementation of a robust and elaborate security arrangement and measures to ensure adequate security and safety for the campaigns and rallies throughout the Country.

The Nigeria Police Force spokesman DCP Jimoh Moshood in a statement yesterday said the security arrangement is necessary as the commencement of campaign by political parties for the Presidential and National Assembly elections is taking off.

He said Commissioners of Police in the 36 state commands and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and their supervisory Assistant Inspectors General of Police in the 12 Zonal Commands have been directed to ensure security arrangements for the campaigns.

He said they are to protect and safeguard all venues of campaigns, rallies and other INEC approved electioneering activities of all political parties throughout the Country from now on till the end of the stipulated campaign period for the 2019 general elections.

He said the CPs and AIGs are under strict instructions not to tolerate any form of political thuggery, intimidation, demonstration of violent conducts and over dramatization by political fans that can cause political clashes and jeopardize prevailing peace in their commands from any political party or politician.

He added that, “The Force will not condone hate speeches, indecent and criminal defamatory conducts from any individual or group that can cause threat to public peace and safety anywhere in the Country during the campaigns and beyond. The full weight of the law will be applied on any individual(s) or group(s) arrested.”