His redeployment comes a few hours after the Labour Party governorship candidate in the November 11 election, Senator Athan Achonu, called on President Bola Tinubu to order the redeployment of security agents in the state.
The Imo State Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Ahmed Barde, has been redeployed to the Police Force Headquarters in Abuja.
His redeployment comes a few hours after the Labour Party governorship candidate in the November 11 election, Senator Athan Achonu, called on President Bola Tinubu to order the redeployment of security agents in the state.
He accused them of working for Governor Hope Uzodimma and alleged that the police shot at his convoy on Sunday after denying him access to a church service he was invited for.
Achonu on Sunday, while he was attending a church service at St. Stephen’s Anglican church Obibiezena in Owerri North, was allegedly attacked alongside his security details by police personnel.
He had called on the Inspector General of Police and President Tinubu to, as a matter of urgency, redeploy the Imo police commissioner in the interest of the generality of the people of the state, attributing some of the security challenges in the state to the CP’s complacency and alleged conspiracy with the government of the state.
The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, in a release signed by the Force Spokesman, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said the decision was to underscore the police's unwavering dedication to upholding the rule of law and maintaining strict neutrality throughout the electoral proceedings.
Adejobi said that the redeployment was not an indictment to the Commissioner but rather part of a broader strategy aimed at bolstering security measures, promoting transparency and upholding the integrity of the electoral security management.
He said, “The IGP’s decision to reshuffle the Imo state Commissioner underscores the Police Force’s unwavering dedication to upholding the rule of law and maintaining strict neutrality throughout the electoral proceedings.
“This redeployment is not an indictment on the affected officer but is rather part of a broader strategy aimed at bolstering security measures, promoting transparency, and upholding the integrity of the electoral security management.
“The IGP is resolute in ensuring that a secure environment is provided for all stakeholders, political parties, candidates, and citizens to participate in the electoral process. He urges all and sundry to cooperate with the Police and other security agencies and adhere to the law in order to ensure a smooth and successful election while maintaining the principles of democracy.”
Meanwhile, the new police commissioner, according to the IGP, will assume office in a couple of days.
Before Sunday’s incident involving Achonu, several civil society groups and residents of the state had cried out that Barde was on a mission to annihilate the youths of the state, several of whom were allegedly arrested on trumped-up charges of being members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and Eastern Security Network (ESN).