Steer Clear From Election Duties, Delta Police Command Tells Vigilante Groups, Private Security Guards, Others

By Daniel Dafe 

Delta State Police Command in its deliberate effort to ensure its neutrality and impartiality in the forth coming Governorship/State Assembly and National Assembly re-run elections, slated for 9th March, 2019, has warned vigilantes, anti-cults groups, private security guards and unauthorized security outfits to steer clear of election duties.

In a press statement signed by ASP Chuks Orisewezie, Acting Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), the command added: “The duty of securing INEC sensitive and non sensitive electoral materials, facilities, officials, polling units and electorates are the sole responsibility of the police in collaboration with other approved security agencies.”

The press statement read in part: “This warning is coming against the backdrop of the recently arrested suspects by a detachment of PMF personnel deployed to CBN, Asaba, to secure the election materials. The suspects who were arrested with a pump action gun claimed they were vigilantes from Udu Local Government Area detailed by their L.G.A. Chairman to escort the election materials allocated to their L.G.A from Asaba back to Udu. The suspects have since been arraigned at Asaba Chief Magistrate Court.”

Continuing, the police in the state said that the order on restriction of vehicular movement on the day of the election still stands, adding that this was in the overall interest of peace and safety for all.

According to the press release, no individual is permitted to go with their security aides to the polling booth where they are to cast their votes.

“The CP solicits the support of the traditional rulers, religious leaders, youth leaders, opinion leaders, parents, guardians, political stalwarts to talk to their children, wards, members and supporters to shun any act capable of generating violence before, during and after the elections,” the statement added.

While calling on the electorates not to be apprehensive or be afraid of any harm or embarrassment at the polls, the command assured Deltans that adequate security mechanism has been put in place to guarantee their safety as they go to the polls to exercise their franchise.

According to the press statement, any police officer or security agent that folds his or her arms and watch hoodlums break the law will be seriously sanctioned.