… Restrict Movements
By Mohammed Abubakar Dutse
Ahead of the Saturday, October 5 local government council elections in Jigawa state, the State Police Command has announced series of measures, to ensure the conduct of hitch-free elections.
Towards this end, the command has warned that the full arms of the law would be brought on anybody or group of persons, who attempt(s) to obstruct the smooth and orderly conduct of the exercise.
The Spokesperson of the Command, DSP Lawan Shiisu Adam, in a statement in Dutse re-iterated that the Police had concluded all security arrangement to ensure that the exercise was conducted peacefully.
For a start, the command has placed restrictions on all forms of vehicular movements beginning from 12:00 am on Friday, October 4 to 6:00 pm on Saturday, October 5, with possible exceptions of those in essential duties such as JISIEC officials, Election Observers, Ambulances to medical emergencies, Fire Fighters, among others.
The statement admonished police personnel deployed for “this critical task to be civil and courteous, shun any form of corrupt activities and maintain a high level of professionalism.”
Similarly, the police high command warned all security aides and escorts to the politically exposed persons, (PEPs) from accompanying their principals and politicians to polling units and collation centres during the election period.
According to the statement, “The Command, led by CP Ahmed Tijani Abdullahi wishes to inform the law abiding citizens of the state to turn out in their large numbers and vote peacefully without fear of being threatened or intimidated” noting that all necessary logistics have been deployed at various polling units, collation centers and the Jigawa State Independent Electoral Commission (JISIEC) Headquarters to ensure that the sensitive and non sensitive materials, electorate, JISIEC officials, and adhoc staff are well protected and maintain law and order during the whole process.”
The command, however, reminded the political parties and their supporters in the state, that the ban on political thuggery, use of weapons such as; cutlass, stick, knife, machetes, bow and arrow, guns and other dangerous weapons during election is still enforced.
It warned “the political parties and their followers intending to use weapons and any kind of its kinds are advised to refrain from such and strictly adhere and abide by the rules and regulations governing the electoral process.
“In this regard, the command in collaboration with all sister security agencies and other relevant stakeholders will work harmoniously to fish out those troublemakers and their sponsors as well, conduct discreet investigation and arraigned them in court to face the full wrath of the law.
“The police as lead and law enforcement agency will not allow criminal elements who may take this advantage to foment trouble and violate the provisions of the law as contained in the Electoral Act as amended. Anyone found wanting will be dealt with decisively.
“Lastly, the CP calls on the good people of the state to make judicious use of provided guidelines so as to attain free, fair and credible elections in the state.”
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