IG meets DIGs, AIGs, CPs in Abuja

…charges them on creating enabling space for peaceful elections

The Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba, on Monday, met with strategic managers of the Nigeria Police Force comprising Deputy Inspectors-General of Police and members of the Force Management Team, Assistant Inspectors-General of Police, and Commissioners of Police across the nation at the Force Headquarters, Louis Edet House, Abuja on the forthcoming general elections.

The conference, which is the first for the year 2023, was targeted at reviewing the internal security of the country and reassessing the NPF’s strategies towards the elections. 

Baba tasked the strategic police managers to safeguard the public space for the elections in active synergy with other security agencies.

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The conference, however, later metamorphosed into a closed-door, while journalists were excused.

Coming out of the closed door on Monday, the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, in a statement, said the IG tasked the police chiefs to jettison personal interests for the national interest.

Adejobi said, While charging them to make certain that quasi-security outfits created and owned by state governments are precluded from the election duty, he stressed that national security interest overrides personal interest and as such, in line with the directives of Mr President, the election shall be policed in a civil manner with full compliance with the rule of law. 

“The IG also warned all officers to remain apolitical in ensuring free, fair and credible elections.”

A training session on election security management was later organised by the IG for the senior police officers at the IGPs Conference Hall.

The PUNCH reports that the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), on Monday told the leadership of the NPF and Military Chiefs that Nigerians and the global community are watching them, as they have high expectations of them to provide adequate security in ensuring peaceful conduct of the forthcoming 2023 general elections. 

Buhari who spoke at the Force Headquarters, Louis Edet House, Abuja, while unveiling critical operational assets procured by the NPF, commended the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba, for advancing the police reform agenda of his administration and for several other initiatives he had brought to the Force. 

The equipment which includes operational vehicles, crowd control and anti-riot gadgets, and high-capacity desktop and laptop computers were acquired to ensure proper enforcement of electoral laws and a seamless electioneering process and stabilizing the public space before, during, and after the general elections.

 Also, for the purpose of enhancing the capacity of the NPF to manage civil disorder in line with acceptable national legal framework and global law enforcement protocols. 

The President commended the efforts of the IG in advancing the commitment of his administration to a reformed, modernized, fully equipped, highly motivated and citizens-focused police force that is re-oriented to the virtues of professionalism, respect for the rule of law, due process, operational efficiency and best international practices in policing the nation.