Election: CP Muazu Assures Adequate Security

CYRIACUS IZUEKWE

Barely 24 hours to Saturday’s rescheduled Presidential and National Assembly Elections, Lagos State Police Command has expressed readiness for a hitch-free election in the state.

P.M.EXPRESS reports that this was disclosed by the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Zubairu Muazu, at the State Command.

He urged the citizens to come out en-masse on the day of the election to cast their votes without any fear because the Police have provided adequate security across the State.

Muazu, while briefing newsmen, assured that all black spots in the state were under serious check and about 30,000 men from the police and sister security agencies have been trained to provide security to all parts of the state before, during and after the elections.

He said the Command would handle electoral offences according to the electoral laws, saying anyone arrested for committing any electoral offence would be prosecuted according to the dictates of the Electoral Act.
According to him, when he resumed as the State Commissioner of Police, he met a robust operation order to cover the election, saying their responsibility is to make sure there is a safe environment for the people to vote without any form of intimidation.
“Our major role starts from the INEC office, monitoring officials as they go about their duties and security of electoral materials to and from various polling units.
“We have deployed policemen and other security agencies to all polling units to ensure orderliness. There will be security at the collation centres when votes are being counted and for those that want to celebrate after the winner is announced.
“Our duty also continues after the elections to provide security at election tribunals, investigate electoral offenders and prosecute as we may be needed to give evidence at election tribunal,” he said.
Muazu said the police would be performing these duties in addition to the routine crime duties of the police to protect lives and property.
“We will leave no stone unturned as there will be normal patrols and standby units at the Command Headquarters to ensure no breach of peace escalates,” he said.
He said the police would give no room for clashes among rival cult groups before, during and after the elections, saying effort was on to round up suspected cultists at Oworonsoki, Bariga and Fadeyi areas of the state.
The Police Boss once again warned trouble makers and suspected criminals to turn a new leaf or face the wrath of the law.