Inspector General of Police (IGP), Usman Alkali Baba, has barred Police officers from carrying lethal weapon at venue of political events during electioneering campaigns.
The Inspector General handed down the warning in his lecture, titled, Engendering Security and Public Safety among stakeholders towards peaceful 2023 general elections in Nigeria, at the maiden distinguished personality lecture of the Centre for Peace and Security Studies of the , Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin in Kwara state.
Represented by the Assistant Inspector General Incharge of Zone Eight (8)Lokoja ,Mr Ashafa Adekunle , the Inspector General said Police personnel are not expected to carry weapon to the polling booths except batons during the forthcoming 2023 general election.
Accoding to him the Police will collaborate with other security agencies as well as relevant stakeholder to ensure successful conduct of the elections.
The IGP, explained that the involvement of Police at political gatherings will be limited to the maintenance of peace , orders and the enforcement of extant laws.
Alkali Baba explained that another set of 10,000 policemen would soon pass out from Police Colleges in the country at the end of December 2022, adding that they will be deployed to complement the effort of other personnel .
In his remarks, the Vice-Chancellor, Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin, Professor Noah Yusuf, expressed worry over threats and violence since the floor was declared open for electioneering campaign.
In her address of welcome the Acting Director, Centre for Peace and Security Studies at the institution, Dr. (Mrs) Abiola Adimula, said the lecture was convened to keep stakeholders abreast of their roles in next year’s elections.
COV/ALI MUHAMMAD RABIU