By Olumuyiwa Adejobi
President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, was on ground at the Nigeria Police Force Headquarters, Louis Edet House, Abuja, on Monday 13th February, 2023, to commission a wide assortment of operational assets acquired by the Nigeria Police Force for improved strategic and tactical operational deployments, particularly in light of the upcoming 2023 General Elections.
The equipment which includes operational vehicles, crowd control and anti-riot gadgets, and high capacity desktop and laptop computers were acquired to ensure proper enforcement of electoral laws and seamless electioneering process and stabilizing the public space before, during, and after the general elections and for the purpose of enhancing the capacity of the NPF to manage civil disorder in line with acceptable national legal framework and global law enforcement protocols.
The President commended the efforts of the IGP in advancing the commitment of his administration to a reformed, modernized, fully equipped, highly motivated and citizens’ focused Police Force that is re-oriented to the virtues of professionalism, respect for the rule of law, due process, operational efficiency and best international practices in policing the nation.
In the quest to achieve an ideal environment for safe, secured and credible 2023 General Elections, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, has today met with Strategic Managers of the Nigeria Police Force comprising Deputy Inspectors-General of Police and members of the Force Management Team, Assistant Inspectors-General of Police and Commissioners of Police across the nation at the Force Headquarters, Abuja.
The Conference, which is the first for the year 2023, is targeted at reviewing the internal security of the country and reassess the NPF’s strategies towards the imminent 2023 General Elections.
The Inspector-General of Police tasked the Strategic Police Managers to safeguard the public space for the elections in active synergy with other security agencies.
While charging them to make certain that quasi-security outfits created and owned by state governments are precluded from the election duty, he stressed that national security interest overrides personal interest and as such, in line with the directives of Mr. President, the election shall be policed in a civil manner with full compliance with the rule of law.
The IGP also warned all officers to remain apolitical in ensuring free, fair and credible elections.
It would be recalled that the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, has earlier informed the general public that the Force had concluded plans in readiness for the visit of President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, to Louis Edet House, Force Headquarters, Abuja, to commission a wide assortment of operational assets acquired to strategically improve on the operational capabilities of the Nigeria Police Force, particularly in crowd control and anti-riot operations, on Monday 13th February, 2023 by 9 a.m.
The equipment for commissioning include a total of 127 operational vehicles such as Toyota Hilux Pick Up vans, Zahab Classic Pick Up vans, Mikano Rich-6 Pick Up vans, Anti-Riot Water Cannons, Armored Personnel Carriers, Toyota Land Cruiser Prado Jeeps, Toyota Coaster Buses, Toyota Hiace Ambulances, Mikano Trucks, and Crowd Control Barriers Vehicles.
Similarly, a large catchment of arms, ammunition, riot control agents such as tear gas, tasers, stun guns, pepper sprays, bulletproof vests, helmets, and other personal protective equipment procured by the Police included in the items for commissioning by the President.
The Inspector-General of Police has expressed the eagerness of the Nigeria Police Force to ensure a safe and secure environment for law-abiding citizens to express their franchise at the 2023 General Election polls.
He also warns all intending troubleshooters to be wary as the Police have been adequately trained and equipped for strategic deployment before, during, and after the elections for the enforcement of extant laws regulating the conduct of elections in Nigeria; and strengthening the general security and public safety across the length and breadth of Nigeria.
@views exclusive rights: CSP OLUMUYIWA ADEJOBI, Force Public Relations Officer, Force Headquarters, Abuja, February 13, 11, 2023.
