The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Disu, has warned politicians against exploiting youths for electoral violence.
The IGP further warned that the Nigeria Police Force is intensifing enforcement, arrests and public enlightenment efforts to prevent political violence ahead of forthcoming elections.
IGP Disu gave the warning during an interview with journalist after a courtesy visit to Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, at Nvosi Isialangwa South LGA.
He said the Nigeria Police Force has already embarked on measures to prevent politicians from exploiting vulnerable youths for electoral purposes.
According to the IGP, the Police do not need to wait for directives from President Bola Tinubu before taking action against political violence.
He stressed that the Nigerian Police Force had continued to discharge its responsibility of maintaining internal security.
“As a responsible unit in charge of internal security, we do not need to wait for the President to give orders for us to know what to do. We have been doing it”, he said.
IGP Disu disclosed that several arrests had been made in different parts of the country adding that the police has intensified training and public enlightenment to discourage electoral violence.
According to him, the Police had repeatedly advised parents to caution their children against allowing themselves to be used by politicians to perpetrate violence.
“We have told the people elections will come and go. We have advised parents to talk to their children, not to be used as cannon fodder by politicians, because this election will come, people will vote and the election will go.
“So anybody who loses their child or their children in the election will be the losers”, IGP Disu said.
He added that the Police were combining public enlightenment with law enforcement and were recording results from the measures.
Earlier, the IGP, who visited Governor Otti in the company of his wife, Mrs Olufunmilola Disu, disclosed that he was in Abia State to attend the wedding of his Police orderly.
He said the event provided an opportunity to pay a courtesy visit to the Governor and express appreciation for the support his administration has extended to Police officers serving in the state.
He noted that both the Commissioner of Police and the Assistant Inspector-General had briefed him on the governor’s interventions.
IGP Disu assured the Governor that the Force would sustain its commitment to effective policing to enable residents to go about their activities without fear.
In his response, Governor Otti commended the IGP for his professionalism and leadership, describing his appointment as a fitting choice for the leadership of the Nigeria Police Force.
The Governor also appreciated IGP Disu for responding promptly whenever the State Government called on the Police for assistance, as well as for the promotion of the State’s former Commissioner of Police,Wilfred Afolabi, to the rank of Assistant Inspector-General.
Governor Otti said the former Police Commissioner had demonstrated professionalism and tact in the discharge of his responsibilities during his stay in Abia.
The Governor observed that some of the IGP’s close aides were from Abia, describing the development as an example of the national outlook expected of public office holders.
He further commended the IGP for demonstrating that competence and national service should take precedence over ethnic and regional considerations in public appointments.
“We want to thank you and we want to also encourage everyone to emulate you.
“Sometimes when we pay so much attention to locality, tribal sentiments and all those things, we forget that we are one and the same people created by God”, the Governor said.
He urged public office holders to promote national unity and competence rather than allow ethnic and regional sentiments to influence their decisions.
