BY SIMON EBEGBULEM
BENIN CITY—THE In spector General of Police, Abubakar Muhammed has ordered the deployment of more policemen in Edo State ahead of the July 14, governorship election.
The Assistant Inspector of general of Police, AIG, Zone 5 in-charge of Edo, Delta and Bayelsa states, Hashimu Argungu, also announced that there would be no vehicular movement in the state on the day of the election except those on essential services.
He declared that the police was battle ready for the election and warned politicians planning to foment trouble to ‘forget it because we will deal ruthlessly with any body involved in election rigging”.
The AIG who was flanked by Edo State Commissioner of Police, Olayinka Balogun, also denied rumours that there was influx of arms into the state ahead of the election, just as he disclosed, however, that the police is determined to stop such movement of arms in the state.
Argungu disclosed plans for a joint meeting with other security agencies in the state today (Thursday) with a view to mapping out strategies to curtail violence on election day, adding that a detachment of anti-riot policemen have already arrived the state while police formations in neighbouring states would also be deployed to boost the capacity of those already on ground.
“We are not oblivious of the plans by some would-be trouble makers who would want to cause disaffection amongst people. This group of people are professional trouble makers who for their selfish motives create crisis. They are agents of mischief. They are warned in their own interest to desist from actions and utterances that could lead to crisis situation before, during and after the election.
“The Nigeria Police Force in the zone would not condone any act of lawlessness. Politicians are advised in their own interest to desist from the use of political thugs as anyone caught will be dealt with decisively in accordance with the law. All law-abiding residents are however assured of their safety and that of their property” he stated.
