…Assures of adequate security
…Warns trouble makers to keep off
…Urges Politicians to play by the rules

By Kingsley Omonobi

Abuja— With barely 48 hours to the governorship election in Kogi State, the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Solomon Arase, has assured Nigerians, especially indigenes of Kogi State, of the readiness of the Police and other relevant agencies to provide effective security and ensure a smooth and orderly conduct of the poll slated for November 21, 2015.

A statement signed by Force Public Relations Officer, Acting ACP Olabisi Kolawole, said the IGP gave the assurance while addressing stakeholders and police officers and men on Tuesday in Lokoja.

At the parley, the IGP warned all trouble-makers and anti-social elements to stay away from Kogi State throughout the period of the election, adding that the Police would not hesitate to arrest and prosecute any person who flouted the law or caused a breach of the peace, no matter how highly placed in the society.

The Force PRO said: “While directing the deployment of Marine Police, Anti-Bomb, Counter Terrorism Unit, Police Mobile Force, Force Intelligence Unit and Mounted Troop to complement the conventional police manpower deployed for the election, the Inspector-General of Police also directed the AIG in charge of the Police Air Wing to deploy the Force’s helicopter for aerial patrol before, during and after the election on Saturday.

“The IGP has directed the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Department of Operations, DIG Sotonye Wakama, to relocate to Lokoja, the capital of Kogi State, so as to ensure adequate Police presence and coordination of all security operations for the election in all polling units and Collation Centres in the State.

“The IGP, who has ordered all police officers assigned to election duties in Kogi State to ensure they work in line with the Police Code of Conduct and international best practices, called on members of the public, particularly politicians, governorship candidates and other relevant stakeholders in the state to cooperate with the police and other security agencies in the onerous but patriotic task of guaranteeing a hitch-free governorship poll.”