By; RAYMOND TEDUNJAYE, Lagos
Barely two weeks before the 2023 General Elections, the Inspector General of Police Usman Alkali Baba has hinted that agitators for the creation of Oduduwa Nation are attempting to amass weapons and mobilise other resources towards disrupting the peace, security and electoral process in the South West geopolitical zone.
The IGP made the disclosure in a remark on Monday at the Force Headquarters, Abuja, during a meeting with Strategic Police Managers.
Attributing the source of the information to intelligence sources, Usman described the move by the agitators as one of the crimes of national security importance that could undermine efforts of the Police towards entrenching a peaceful electioneering process,if not adequately curtailed.
He also listed other crimes that could hinder the peaceful electioneering process to include Banditry/Terrorism which has ravaged many communities in the North-west and North-Central with adverse effects on the economic and social wellbeing of the residents.
“:Similarly,Violent Secessionist Campaigns by IPOB/ESNmembers which have been targeted at various symbols of democratic governance including INEC assets, Police Stations and personnel as well as other security agencies and Federal Government infrastructures, all in an effort to disrupt the 2023 General Elections in the South East geopolitical zone.
” Furthermore, Illegal Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) trafficking are being utilised to advance political violence, political extremism and intolerance, while cyber bullying for political ends is on the rise daily.Also, kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism,and thuggery some of which have political undertones or consequences constitute major security threats to our democracy”, the Police Force Boss stressed.
The IGP therefore, charged the Strategic Managers to ensure no political actor or miscreant is able to subdue any part of the civil space under their Command.
His words” As you are aware, some crimes of national security importance could undermine our efforts towards entrenching a peaceful electioneering process,if not adequately curtailed. These include Banditry/Terrorism which has ravaged many communities in the North-west and North-Central with adverse effects on the economic and social wellbeing of the residents. Similarly,Violent Secessionist Campaigns by IPOB/ESNmembers which have been targeted at various symbols of democratic governance including INEC assets, Police Stations and personnel as well as other security agencies and Federal Government infrastructures, all in an effort to disrupt the 2023 General Elections in the South East geopolitical zone.
” Other major crimes are the growing activities of the Oduduwa Nation Agitators who, from intelligence sources, have been attempting to amass weapons and mobilise other resources towards disrupting the peace, security and electoral process in the South West geopolitical zone.
” Furthermore, Illegal Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) trafficking are being utilised to advance political violence, political extremism and intolerance, while cyber bullying for political ends is on the rise daily.Also, kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism,and thuggery some of which have political undertones or consequences constitute major security threats to our democracy.
” Despite the foregoing, the Nigeria Police Force has the responsibility to stabilize the internal security order within the country before, during and after the elections.
“Consequently, I am reiterating that you ensure no political actor or miscreant is able to subdue any part of the civil space under your Command”.
In addition, the Police Boss charged the Commissioners of Police checkmate the activities of quasi-security agents,who may be employed by politicians,from participating in the electoral process.
He also tasked them to ensure that they closely monitor the illicit activities of Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF),National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), “Amotekun”, “Ebube Agu” and Hunter’s Association and other State owned security outfits with a view to checkmating their activities.
In order to halt the incessant attacks on INEC facilities and other key and vulnerable government assets, the IGP warned that they should ensure the emplacement of firm actions that will deter attacks on INEC facilities/assets across their areas of operations.
