Plateau LG Elections: Police Cautions Political Actors Against Unguarded Utterances

The Plateau State Police Command has cautioned political actors in the state to avoid unguarded utterances capable of triggering unrest before, during and after the October 9th local government elections in the state.

State Commissioner of Police, CP Emmanuel Adesina made the call at a stakeholders meeting with security heads, religious leaders, political parties and Civil Society Organizations which was held at the Police Officers Mess in Jos, the state capital.

The CP also sought the cooperation of the stakeholders and all citizens for the peaceful conduct of the elections, noting that all hands must be on deck to ensure a hitch free exercise.

He assured that the police has already deployed adequate personnel across the 17 local government areas who will work in collaboration with other security agencies to provide security for the citizens to exercise their franchise without intimidation or denial.

CP Adesina warned that anyone arrested causing any kind of unrest or to disrupt the election will answer his or her father’s name as they are ready to face any trouble maker.

He said unconventional security agencies are not part of the securities that will work during the election, as they have no role to play on the election.

The CP acknowledged that there are some flash points in the state but assured that security agencies have mapped out strategies to erase any ugly development.

He also announced restriction of movement from 12 midnight of Tuesday to 6pm of Wednesday with the exception of those on essential duties like Journalists, medical personnel and others.

Also speaking at the meeting, the State Comptroller of Immigration Mrs. GC Ukangwung, warned non Nigerians from participating in the election, noting that her men will be on ground to restrict them from participating.

Some of the stakeholders who spoke, appreciated the police for convening the meeting and urged the police and other security agencies to remain neutral and be professional in their conducts and not to aid any form of rigging in the election.

The stakeholders appealed to the security agencies to pay more attention to collation centres as often times elections are conducted peacefully but declaration of results is always the issue.

They also urged all political parties as well as religious leaders to help educate their subjects to be peaceful and patriotic during and after the elections.