Mr Babatunde Ishola, Assistant Inspector General (AIG) of Police, Zone 8, on Wednesday, warned political parties and supporters in Kogi against violence and crises in the forthcoming Nov. 11 governorship election in the state.
Ishola gave the warning at a stakeholders meeting on election security with the theme: “Strengthening Community Engagement Toward a Violence Free Nov. 11 Governorship Election in Kogi” held at the police command headquarters in the state.
The AIG, who is the convener of the meeting, also warned the politicians against self help when there was breach of peace during the governorship election but should alert security operatives for prompt action.
“We are assuring you that police and other security agencies will do all we can to maintain peace and security before, during and after the election.
“Although security is everybody’s business, the security operatives will be ruthless against trouble makers because we have adopted zero tolerance approach to snatching of ballot boxes, ” he warned.
Ishola, who advised that electioneering campaigns should be issue based, further warned against inciting comments and intimidation among the political parties.
He said the security operatives would display the highest level of professionalism during the governorship election and urged politicians to play the game according to the rules.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Commissioner of police in the state, Akeeem Yusuf, said the Inspection General of Police had pledged to flood the state with enough personnel to maintain peace and security of lives and property.
Dr Gabriel Longpe, INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Kogi said the commission was well prepared for the forthcoming election and had blown the whistle for electioneering campaigns to participating political parties.
Longpet quickly warned politicians against the use of masquerades and thugs to invade polling units during elections to cause violence and truncate the process.
