By Ado Hassan, Sokoto
Mr Abubakar Tilli, Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of North West zone, on Wednesday warned that the police would not condone attacks on its personnel and relevant security agents by political thugs or any member of the public before, during and after the general elections.
Similarly, the DIG disclosed that the police had made adequate arrangement to ensure that all border points were closed .
” We will make sure that all entry point into Sokoto are closed and monitored by our personnel which would be deployed before the commencement of the polls.”
Speaking in Sokoto during an interactive session with stakeholders ahead of the general elections on Saturday, Tilli also cautioned the law enforcement on the urgent need to display professionalism in their conduct while managing situations.
In the same vein, Tilli who was represented by the Assistant Inspector General of in charge of zone 10, Mr Muhammad A. Mustapha advised politicians to warn their supporters and followers against taking laws into their hands.
According to him” we must respect the law, tolerate and understand one another to ensure a hitch free exercise.
” On our part, we will respect the rights of citizens to the later for the success of the elections”
The state Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Ka’oje said the force had made proper arrangement in collaboration with other security agencies to have a police and other security personnel to each polling unit during the polls.
Ka’oje however disclosed that the command had commenced a combined ” show of force and patrol” exercise in collaboration with the military.
He further disclosed that the command had made 11 arrests arising from violent attacks between opposition party supporters in Binji town where some properties were set ablaze.
Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar represented by the Sarkin Gabas, Alhaji Muazu Yakubu commended the police for the timely event which he described as most important ingredient in achieving a violent free, fair and credible exercise.
He urged INEC to also exhibit true independence in the entire process while politicians should also conduct themselves.
The state Director of NOA, Mode Danchadi called on politicians and potential voters to participate in accordance with the laid down rules and regulations to ensure peaceful conduct of the 2019 polls.
” We don’t want to witness a violent exercise as in the past. Election is not a do or die affair and therefore, we should abide and guard against violating the rules”, he stressed.
However, all political parties in the state including the two major opposition, PDP and APC represented at the meeting pledged to be orderly and guard against violent conducts.
INEC Resident Commissioner, Sadiq Abubakar who vowed not to compromise the exercise in any manner, assured of a transparent, free, fair and credible polls.
He said INEC under his watch in the state would not influence the process in favour or against any political party, adding that” I swear to God, with whom my breath lies, and have also sworn by the Qur’an on my shoulder, will never, ever compromise results of the 2019 polls.”
Abubakar further told the session that the agency had already fast track necessary arrangement to ensure adequate security of officials and materials” I am also calling on politicians and the electorates to appreciate the need to have a peaceful elections exercise in the state”, he said.
Meanwhile, Abubakar disclosed that tomorrow Thursday the agency would conduct a stakeholders meeting with politicians
