In a bid to checkmate hoodlums and thugs who may want to disrupt Saturday’s polls, the Deputy Inspector-General of Police for South-East, Mr John Amadi, has sent a strong warning to them to think twice and steer clear of the polling units or risk being killed.
Amadi issued the threat to shoot anyone that may attempt to disrupt the Governorship and House of Assembly polls in Abia State while addressing officers of the state command at the Police Officers’ Mess, Umuahia, Abia capital.
Persecondnews reports that the DIG, who was accompanied by Abia Police Commissioner Mohammed Bala, also visited the state headquarters of INEC office in Umuahia.
He said: “We have assured Nigerians and the South-East that nobody should entertain any fears.
“The police are there to protect the system. Anybody that wants to put himself into problem or involve in thuggery would have himself to blame.
“Anybody that wants to snatch ballot boxes or disrupt the elections will be promptly dealt with. We have deployed our men to dominate all the areas that we think trouble would erupt from.
“So we are sounding a note of warning to criminals and non-state agents that we would not tolerate anything that would not allow the people cast their vote and chose who they want to represent them.
“Anybody that wants to disrupt the system should be ready to die and anybody that wants to die should come out and disrupt the system.
“If you love your life keep away, cast your vote, go home, and wait for the result.”
On the threat to stop the elections in the state, the AIG urged the people to disregard such threat, saying the polls must go on as scheduled and that they should not entertain any fear from any quarters.
“On behalf of the Inspector-General of Police and the management team, I assure you that there would not be any infractions. I can assure you that we are ready.”
Amadi assured of the readiness of the police to maintain their neutrality during the polls, saying the police belong to no political party.
“We belong to Nigerians and this is the time to make everybody know that our primary responsibility is to protect lives and property,” he said, assuring visitors to the state, including election monitors and observers of their safety.
“We also assure you that INEC officials and materials must be adequately protected,” he said.
Amadi conveyed the appreciation of the IGP, Alkali Baba, to officers and men of the command for their sterling performance in the coverage of the February 25 Presidential and National Assembly.
“You should strive to replicate your performance but if you cannot surpass it, do not go below the standard you have set.
“We are the lead security agency and the country and world at large are looking at us to be able to provide the conducive environment for people to go and exercise their franchise.
“We need to protect them so as give them the atmosphere to exercise their civic rights without fear of attack or molestation,” the DIG also said.
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