Election: Lagos CP Spits Fire, Orders Shoot At Sight

CYRIACUS IZUEKWE 

The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Imohimi Edgal, has warned that any unauthorised persons found bearing fire arms at political party rallies and during election in Lagos State, risks being shot by the police.

P.M.EXPRESS reports that the police boss has also declared that any persons caught obstructing the electoral process will be arrested and prosecuted in line with the electoral laws.

Edgal said that he has directed all Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) and Area Commanders to enforce proportional use of force including the use of fire arms in demobilising any person found in possession of fire arms at political rallies.
“I have detailed all the DPOs, Area Commanders to arrest any person found with gun or arms during political party rallies. Proportional use of force, including the use of fire arms should be applied to demobilise the person” he said.

This warning statement formed part of the riot act handed down to his officers by the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Edgal Imohimi, at the end of over three hours closed door Inter Agencies Consultative Committee Meeting On 2019 Election, held at the Command Headquarters, Ikeja Lagos.

Speaking on behalf of the committee after the meeting, CP Edgal who is also the group’s chairman, noted that his directives to his officers, were to check future re-occurrence of the previous incident that occurred at the flag off of APC Governorship rally, where one person was shot and many sustained injuries.
According to him, INEC has assured Lagos residents of peaceful conduct of the election devoid of vote buying, intimidation and rancour.
He reiterated the readiness of the Police, Army and other sister security agencies to ensure a successful poll. He further stated that the recent operation show of force road show conducted across Lagos State, involving over 2, 300 officers, 100 vehicles and all the security agencies, was to reassure Lagos residents of their fitness.
In his own Statement, INEC Lagos State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mr. Sam Olumekun, while expressing his appreciation to all the security agencies, assured Lagos State residents that INEC under his watch will conduct the best election ever recorded in the state. He further announced the commencement of electoral trainings for INEC Ad hoc staff, which had started since January 23rd, 2019.