Ahead of the November 18, 2017 governorship election in Anambra State, the joint security task force, yesterday warned that anybody caught covering his vehicle plate number will be arrested.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, Garba Baba Umar, announce this at the state command headquarters in Amawbia, Awka South local government area at the end of a meeting with stake holders in the state.

He said that instruction had been passed across all the divisional police officers (DPOs) in the state to look out for such deviants, adding that the only people who cannot be arrested in the state were the Governor and his deputy because of their immunity clause.

Umar disclosed that 100 boats would be deployed to the riverine areas, 400 patrol vehicles and 28,000 policemen to patrol and monitor the Governorship election including helicopters.

According to him, the Police would sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the candidates and their parties for a violent free exercise in the state.

His words, “Please, people should not make this state ungovernable, we want to retain the peace that has existed in this state before now, and we don’t want to distort it, this is the last warning to those trying to ferment trouble in Anambra.

“The command has received a number of petitions from stakeholders that were being investigated by the political desk of the state criminal investigation department (CID).

“The police command reiterates the ban on covered plate numbers on vehicles or illegal customised plates, foul language, hate speech is not tolerated and unacceptable”.

“On election day, no use of Escort or vigilante as no movement is allowed or bringing escort to pulling booths, we promise a level playing ground for all stakeholders as far as provision of security is concerned”

He further explained that some of the issues that raised dusts in the state during the campaigns were clashes of parties on their campaign tours like Nteje in Oyi Council Area where, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and (APGA) teams had rallies simultaneously.

Others included reported destruction of posters and bill boards of opponents, clashes in Nsugbe town between members of the APC and APGA among others.

The CP also warned that hate speeches would no longer be tolerated in the campaigns,

The state Director of Department of State service, (DSS) Yusuf Ishaq on his part observed that posters do not win elections saying that the idea of removing them by political opponents or defacing was childish and a way of heating up the polity.

He added, “You should exercise decorum by minimizing hate speeches, this command will no longer tolerate such, but if anybody feels defamed or insulted, there are law courts to seek redress.”

Update news