The Acting Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, issued a directive yesterday to all commissioners of police in the 36 states of Nigeria and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). He instructed them to immediately start removing all non-security checkpoints within their respective areas of responsibility and to arrest those who violate this order for swift prosecution.
Furthermore, Egbetokun also gave three weeks to commissioners of police who have not yet established Complaints Response Units (CRUs) in their command headquarters. This move is aimed at tackling corruption within the police force.
During a strategic meeting with Deputy Inspector Generals (DIGs), Assistant Inspector Generals (AIGs), and command Commissioners of Police (CPs), Egbetokun reassured everyone that the Police would ensure sufficient security measures for the upcoming governorship elections in three states(Bayelsa, Kogi, Imo) of the country, emphasizing that there was no need for concern.
He said: “We are aware of the challenge posed by the continued presence of unauthorized persons on the various highways around the country, in the guise of revenue collection, who constantly constitute nuisance on the highways by obstructing the flow of traffic and engaging in mischievous activities, such as the seizure of vehicles, collection of fines and other unlawful activities.
“With just three states having their gubernatorial election, the Police are not burdensome because there are proper and adequate personnel on ground for the election.
“Just as we have seen in other isolated elections, we have availability of more men in number than the one of the general elections. I have no fear about how safe and secure the election which is going to take place on November 11 2023, will be.
“It’s very convenient for us to deploy. Nobody should entertain fear about the security of the November election. We have prepared. We are ready and very soon, we will start deployment.
“We deliberately decided to take this year’s Police conference and retreat to one of the states we are having the election. The conference and retreat are coming just less than two weeks to the election.
“So, it is deliberate and not by accident that we chose the venue and date. It is also to show to the public that we are ready for the election. So, there is no fear for the coming election.”
Nevertheless, he urged both voters and politicians to adhere to election regulations and reject any acts of violence.
