The Inspector-General of Police, Mr Solomon Arase, confirmed to media outlets that police have learned of plans by some politicians in Kogi State to clothe thugs in police uniforms during the governorship election on Saturday.
Mr. Arase stated this at a stakeholders forum earlier, adding that the intention of the perpetrators was to disrupt the election and cause mayhem.
He described the action of those behind the act as a “wrong and wasteful investment.”
According to him, measures have been taken to properly identify 12,000 policemen who will be on duty during the election. “We intend to dominate the security space that day; if you want to test our strength,
have a rethink,’’ he said.
Mr. Arase said 6,000 out of the 12,000 policemen for election duty would be drawn from police formations close to Kogi State.
He said one unit of mobile policemen would be deployed to each of the 21 local government areas in the state “for effective policing.’’
He added that the officers will be backed up by armored personnel carriers, vehicles, and other security apparatuses, adding that the restriction of movement would be strictly enforced that day.
Our SaharaReporters corresponded also learned that the police would be supported by the military, Civil Defence Corps, Immigration, Customs and Federal Road Safety Commission
(FRSC) to provide effective security during the poll.
He urged people in the state to feel free to come out and vote for candidate of their choice, saying a level playing-ground would be provided for all stakeholders free of intimidation.