Police releases security arrangements for political rallies, campaigns

The Nigeria Police has released its own arrangement to ensure a hitch free security during campaigns and rallies of political parties and called on the parties to shun violence, intimidation and hate speeches.

A statement issued by Force Public Relations Officer, Ag DCP Jimoh Moshood in Abuja yesterday stated that police arrangement is sequel to the Time Table and Schedule of activities for 2019 General Elections released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

He said that the security arrangement will guide campaigns by Political Parties for the Presidential & National Assembly Elections which began November 18, and Governorship & State Houses of Assembly Elections starting on December 1, 2018.

Under the arrangement the Commissioners of Police in the 36 State Commands and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and their supervisory Assistant Inspectors General of Police in the 12 Zonal Commands are to ensure that police protect and safeguard all venues of campaigns, rallies

and other INEC approved electioneering activities of all Political Parties throughout the country from now on till the end of the stipulated campaign period for the 2019 General Elections

The commissioners are also directed to assess threats and deploy Police personnel to flash points and vulnerable areas to prevent and nip in the bud any form of inter-party frictions, political thuggery and clashes that can lead to disturbance of public peace anywhere in the Country.

The police advised all political parties to abide by the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) and INEC guidelines, and play the game according to the rules.

“They are to prevail on their flag bearers, members, supporters and fans not to engage in any act or conduct that can incite violence or disturbance of public peace anywhere in the Country during the campaigns and beyond.”

The Commissioners of Police in the Commands and Zonal Assistant Inspectors General of Police were also under strict instructions of the Inspector General of Police not to tolerate any form of political thuggery, intimidation, demonstration of violent conducts

and over dramatization of political fans that can precipitate political clashes and jeopardize prevailing peace in their Commands from any Political Party or Politician(s).

Commissioners of Police are to effect arrest and immediately prosecute any party member or supporters in possession of firearms or dangerous weapons during political campaigns and rallies in their respective States.

“The Force will not condone hate speeches, indecent and criminal defamatory conducts from any individual(s) or group(s) that can cause threat to public peace and safety anywhere in the Country during the campaigns and beyond.

The full weight of the law will be applied on any individual(s) or group(s) arrested.”

The arrangement enjoined the Commissioners of Police to continue the meetings of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) with INEC and other Security and Safety Agencies on the implementation of the action plans and security arrangements of the Nigeria Police Force in ensuring adequate security for the political campaigns and rallies for the 2019 General Elections.

The commissioners are also warned to shun political partisanship or bias but to remain focus and provide security for all throughout the period.

It equally implored parents and guidance, Traditional/Religious Leaders, Public Office Holders to monitor their children, wards, subjects and make them to be law abiding and refrain from been used to cause disturbance of public peace and violation of law during the period of the campaigns and beyond.