The Police High Command has ordered reinforcement of more police officers in Rivers State following intelligence reports of massive arms build up in the state ahead of the rerun election this Saturday.
The Police had initially announced the deployment of about 25,000 police officers for the elections.
But in a riot act read by the Inspector General of Police, IGP Ibrahim Idris to Service Commanders and Senior Police Officers in Port Harcourt, he said 28,000 Police Officers would now be deployed into the state.
IGP Idris said the decision to reinforce more officers for the elections was to ensure that no life was lost in Rivers State because of the election.
The IG also warned that there will be strict enforcement to the restriction of movement in every part of the state.
He said rather than ten gunboats initially approved for the waterways, eighteen gunboats will now be deployed, to be supported by three helicopters, sniffer dogs at all collation centers and three hundred and fifty hilux vans.
IGP Idris also noted that all Police and Military officers, as well as other sister security agencies will have a mark in other to identify fake officers.
He assured all Police officers deployed for the election of prompt payment of their allowances.
He appealed to residents of Rivers state to cooperate with the Police and allow the security operatives do their job, assuring that the Police will be apolitical in carrying out their duties.
The IGP called on the Nigerian Army, the Navy, Air Force, Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps and others to synergize with the police to ensure a violent free election.
Idris said, “We are here to show the seriousness attached to this assignment. We have been having series of rerun elections in this state, but by the grace of Allah this will be the end.
“We are demonstrating the need and requirement to act together to ensure that adequate security is provided from the beginning of the process to the end.
“All police officers and the sister agencies should collaborate in this operation. The Navy, the Air Force, the Civil Defense, the Army, please let us work together.
“This is not the first time we are conducting election, but elections in River State are always with challenges, but this time we will get it right. We need to be at alert throughout the election.
“This election is important so we are coming with enough re-enforcement. We are coming out to help the Rivers State Police Command. We have to dominate the waterways. We are re-enforcing 28 gunboats, 28 more Armored Personnel Carriers, 20 dogs to be at the polling units and the INEC officers. We have deployed 26 units of Mobile Police men. We will redeploy medical teams on the streets in case of health problem.”
He explained that, “At the midnight of the election we have to dominate the waterways. Most of the gunboats will be brought from neighbouring states. The gunboats will be manned by Mobile Policemen and Marine police.
“Whatever you do on the day of the election, do it in accordance with the rules of the duty. I want all the security agencies to abide by the instruction.”
Responding on behalf of other sister agencies, the Commander Brigade 2 Command, Brig. Gen. Hamisu Hassan, Port Harcourt, assured that the army would work with the police for a free and credible election in the state.
Hassan said, “This election has been key to the security agencies in the state. We have mapped out plans and in a forum tested them, we have had meetings in preparation for the election.
“In Rivers State, we have carried out joint operations and training. We have conducted joint show of force. I assure you that other security agencies are ready to partner the police in this election.”
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