Inspector-General of Police, Suleiman Abba, has sternly warned all security details attached to political office holders to desist from accompanying their principals to polling booths and collation centres during the election.

The Force Public Relations Officer, Ag. CP Emmanuel C. S. Ojukwu, in a statement issued yesterday in Abuja, noted that only police personnel, specifically assigned for election duties, must be seen within and around the election designated places.

“The IGP also reiterated his earlier warning that no armed police escort must be seen escorting politicians to the polling units as such Policemen would be arrested and made to face stern disciplinary action,” he said.

Ojikwu also expressed the IGP’s commendation to the police personnel and other law enforcement agencies that participated in the policing of the March 28 presidential and National Assembly elections “for their unparalleled professionalism displayed during the exercise.”

He said that the IGP believes that the virtues of selflessness and dedication to duty contributed in no small measure to the overall success of the widely acclaimed free and fair election.

“The IGP is particularly pleased with the very high level of comportment, discipline, orderliness, patience and understanding exhibited by the citizens throughout the period of the elections. Of special interest to the IGP is the huge assistance extended to the Police and other law enforcement agencies by the citizens, the ssistance, which made the election hitch-free,” he added.

The IGP, he also added, called for a similar level of citizens’ cooperation and support for the police and other relevant agencies in the forthcoming Gubernatorial and House of Assembly elections on 11th April, 2015.

He enjoined the citizens to remain calm, confident, hopeful and trusting in the ability of the police and other relevant agencies to discharge their constitutional mandate of ensuring the safety of lives and property, and in protecting the democratic rights and freedoms of the citizens. He also pledged the preparedness of the Force to consolidate and re-enact the last election security success story in other future elections.”

•Photo shows Force PRO Ojukwu.

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