The elections have come and gone in the country with their attendant complaints. Crime Guard spoke with the alternate Commissioner of Police in Anambra State, Sam Okaula on how the police operated. There was no governorship election in Anambra. Okaula bared his mind.

Excerpts:

HOW the election was conducted

The election was free and fair, very peaceful and I think we should give ourselves kudos for that. This happened because we were able to provide enabling environment for the electorate to come out freely and cast their votes. When I came here, I observed that there was a great need for me to lecture the officers and men which I did.

I also felt that there was a need for me to effect one or two changes which would inject new blood into the system. My ultimate goal was to ensure that before, during and after the election, there was peace and there was free atmosphere for everyone and that was exactly what happened.

So far, so good we never recorded any major incident. There were cases of electoral malpractices here and there but we were able to effectively take control of such situation.

We effected some arrests in some places too, and the suspects are undergoing interrogation at the state Criminal Investigations Bureau. If they are found culpable, they would be charged to court.

ARREST OF SUSPECTS

We have well over 58 suspects. There were no major crime situations or criminal activities during this period because we went on air and made it loud and clear that potential trouble makers and criminals should keep off Anambra state. So, it was a very successful, free and fair exercise and I think I commend the Police officers and men of this Command for having done a good job.

SYNERGY WITH OTHER AGENCIES

We have a cordial relationship with other security agencies like the Army, the Navy, the Air-force, Defence corps, the immigration etc, and I met that on the ground when I assumed office. We held meetings before the elections and were always in touch during the elections.

We also created an operational base for all the agencies to exchange ideas and react to situations. So, we have a joint control room at the base here in the State Police headquarters. We posted senior officers from all the agencies that were also in touch with the men in the field.

That went a long way to create this enabling environment that I talked about earlier on. So, the synergy between the police and all other security agency was fantastic and I am happy with that.

MAJOR CHALLENGES

Well, of course in all elections there will always be challenges, contending forces. In the last election here we stood our ground firmly and we made everyone know that we were going to be impartial and we were impartial all through.

We were not intimidated, we were not blackmailed and we ensured that we also educate the key actors and politicians to keep the peace and allow the electoral process to be free and fair. Those were the major challenges but we were able to overcome them and we did fantastically well in that area.

CHECKMATING EXCESSES OF POLITICIANS

I was in touch with a lot of them. I had personal contacts with them. I was able to make most of them see the reason why the elections must run free and fair and they also co-operated in this regard. But like I said earlier on, you cannot remove the fact that there were a couple of places where we had one or two cases OF malpractice but that has been taken care of and investigation is ongoing.

ADVISE TO ANAMBRA PEOPLE

I think I want to thank the people of Anambra state for conducting themselves in such a peaceful manner. I want to thank them for co-operating with security agents. I also want to put on record that this place is a wonderful state and the people are actually very law abiding.

We can not rule out one or two cases like I said, but all in all, Anambra people were fantastic and wonderful. I am happy with them.

GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE

Well, it wasn’t all about government of the state. We had mechanism on ground that facilitated our movement and monitoring the elections but it was not like the government did anything more than the ordinary. But I think that it was good.