Ahead of the August 30th local government elections in Rivers State, the police have vowed to crush cultists or anyone planning to foment trouble during the chairmanship and councillorship polls.
Also, the State Police Command said it has all it takes to checkmate any action aimed at causing a breach of the peace before, during and after the elections, even as it announced the restriction of human and vehicular movements from midnight of the election eve to 6 pm on the day of the election.
The State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, who made the declaration while speaking to newsmen at his office in Port Harcourt on Tuesday, however, said those on essential duties and election-related assignments will be provided with necessary tags to enable them to go about their duties.
Adepoju lauded people and residents of the state for their peaceful disposition and understanding since the declaration of the state of emergency there, describing them as ‘matured and peace loving’.
He stated, “You are all aware that on the 30th of this month we are going to have the Local Government elections. We have done all due diligence to ensure that it is going to be peaceful.
“We have been holding meetings with stakeholders and we have equally gone to local governments and every other place to sensitize our people. We have also directed the local government’s sole administrators to equally talk to people and hold stakeholders’ meetings, which have been done with positive responses.”
CP Adepoju assured that all security arrangements to ensure a free, fair and peaceful election have been put in place, saying. “All the security agencies are going to participate with the police as the lead agency.”
He added, “All materials for the election will be escorted, and there will be robust security for people to exercise their franchise. We will be there for them before, during and after the elections. Those who want to foment trouble should desist because we are not going to take it kindly.
“We have also done the needful to ensure that all cult activities and those that may want to disrupt the peace during the elections have been checkmated”. Adepoju said already there has been a series of raids on all black-pots and vulnerable points across the state, saying, “I think we have it good now”.
He further said stakeholders’ meetings have been held where all the political parties have signed a peace accord and have given their word to maintain peace during the exercise. “Every security agency will take part in this election because it is a state of emergency. Definitely, we are going to have Police Mobile Force men from Abuja to come and complement our men here.
“We have enough manpower on the ground for this election. I assure you there won’t be a problem. If there is anyone trying to foment trouble, we have all it takes to keep them in check.”
On the movement, he said, “On the eve of the election, there will be movement restrictions from 12 midnight until 6 pm when the election will come to an end.
“For Very Important Persons, those on essential duties and election duties, we are going to issue them a pass to place on their vehicles. Identity cards will be given to members of the press and others performing serious duties like Medical Doctors within that period.”
