Election Violence: Two Police Officers Were Killed, 323 Suspects Arrested – IGP

The acting Inspector General of Police, Mr Mohammed Adamu, has
confirmed the death of two police officers as a result of violence
in parts of the country during the Presidential and National
Assembly elections.

He disclosed this on Monday during a meeting with top police
officers at the Force Headquarters in Abuja, the nation’s
capital.

“It is noted that updated statistics resulting from Presidential
and National Assembly elections, shows that a total of three
hundred and twenty-three (323) offenders have so far been arrested
for various electoral offences and sundry crimes across the
country,” the IGP said.

“Two officers also paid the supreme sacrifice, while some others
were assaulted and injured.”

The police boss explained that the meeting was called to address
critical issues, one of which was to debrief police commanders and
undertake a comprehensive evaluation of their performance during
elections.

According to him, this is within the context of the Election
Security Strategy of his leadership which highlights Post-Election
Evaluation engagement as one of the critical strands of their
plan.

“It is designed to highlight our achievements, identify
performance gaps, draw lessons and redirect our strategies towards
sharpening our capacity to achieve our election security mandate in
future electoral engagements,” Mr Adamu said.

He added that the meeting was convened to perfect the plans of
the police and allocate operational tasks towards the governorship
and state assembly elections scheduled for March 9.

The IGP paid tribute to the slain officers who he said made
sacrifice towards the advancement of the democratic journey of the
nation.

He also condoled with the families of the officers, as well as
other personnel who were injured or assaulted in the course of
their duty.

He assured them that the perpetrators of the acts would be
apprehended and brought to the justice they deserved, no matter
their socio-political status.

“For those arrested for various electoral infractions, I have
directed the Special Electoral Offences Team of the Force to
undertake detailed and conclusive investigations into all the cases
with a view to liaising with the Independent National Electoral
Commission (INEC) in ensuring their prosecution,” the police boss
informed the meeting.

He added, “As we perfect our plans for the governorship and
state assembly elections, I also want to reassure the nation and
the international community of the unwavering commitment of the
police to work closely with INEC and sister security agencies
towards guaranteeing a peaceful and secure space for Nigerians to
exercise their electoral franchise.”

The IGP stressed that the police would remain civil,
professional, and apolitical in the discharge of their duties in
the coming elections.

He said all lawful assets would be deployed for the exercise and
warned political actors plotting to threaten the peaceful conduct
of the polls to play the game by the rules.

Mr Adamu reminded them that national interest overrides their
personal ambitions, stating that doing otherwise would attract the
full and appropriate response from the security agencies.

He also appreciated the personnel of the force across all ranks
for their sacrifice, discipline, and professionalism which was
demonstrated during the February 23 elections.