Electoral Act: IGP asks DIGs, AIGs to dissect provisions of Act to ensure free, fair polls

 

Says new Police operational tactics improving security nationwide

 

Jonas Ezieke, Abuja

 

The Inspector-General of Police IGP Usman Alkali Baba has asked Deputy Inspector- Generals of Police DIGs and Assistant Inspector-Generals of Police AIGs in-charge of various Police commands and formations nationwide to endeavour to dissect the provisions of the newly enacted Electoral Act 2022 to ensure that there’s free and fair elections in 2023.

 

The IGP gave the charge in a remark to the Police High Command on Thursday at the IGP’s Conference Hall Force Headquaters Abuja during the meeting with Strategic Police Managers in Nigeria.

 

The IGP said that the meeting was summoned in furtherance to his leadership strategy of constantly engaging Police Managers for the purposes of reviewing the country’s internal security management of the nation.

 

The meeting he further stated ‘ll also review the progress made in relation to the implementation of the outcomes of the senior Police Officers Retreat held in Uyo Akwa-Ibom State a forthnight.

 

He assured the strategic meeting ‘ll help to review the country’s internal security issues and re-evaluation of the Force’s strategies as the lead internal security management of the nation.

 

 

 

On the Electoral Act 2022 recently passed by the National.Assembly and assented to by President Muhammadu Buhari, he said that they ‘ll be engaging in activities that ‘ll fully prepare the senior officers for effective performance in election duties.

 

He said that the Force would be further challenged by the enhanced political activities that are associated with the upcoming 2023 general elections.

 

According to him, the import of this is that beyound the routine anti-crime activities of the Police, they have to be prepared not just to deal with politically related infractions that could ensue, but also make preparations ahead to guarrantee the security and credibility of the elections.

 

He said:”In due course, we shall be engaging in activities that ‘ll fully prepare us for effective performance of our roles in elections, part of which would be to liase with the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC, Nigeria Bar Association NBA, Civil Society Organizations and the Nigeria Police Legal Chamber towards dissecting the provisions of the electoral Act as recently amended.

 

“This is with a view to ensuring that all our activities are situated within the dictates of the Electoral Act 2022”.

 

The Police boss further hinted that an analysis of the pattern and trend of crimes since the beginning of the year has shown a significant progress in the anti-crime operations of the Police Force

 

He lauded the efforts of the ‘Operation Sahara Storm’ launched by the Police Force in Sokoto State to tackle banditary and other criminal activities saying that it had recorded huge success.

 

He informed that aside the destruction of al the camps and other assets of the bandits in their enclaves a total of thirty-eight (38) suspected bandits/terror elements were arreated by the Police.

 

Some ammunitions said to have been recovered by the Police team from the bandits include thirty-two (32) AK-47, one rocket propelled grenade launcher and one thousand four hundred and twelve (1,412) 7.7.62mm live ammunition.

 

Other weapons recovered include one thousand two hundred (1,200) rounds of live AA ammunition, one locally fabricated revolver pistol and three (3) motor vehicles and two (2) motor cycles.