2019 Elections: AIG, INEC charge officers, men on democratic policing

THE officers and men of the Zone 12 of the Nigerian Police  Force have been charged to imbibe the act democratic policing as well as ensure transparency, accountability and partnership with the people towards a violence-free 2019 general elections.

The charge was given by the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG), Zone 12 Bauchi, Baba Tijjani the opening of a two-day capacity building training programme on democratic policing and elections security management for Bauchi, Yobe and Borno Officers and men of the Force holding in Bauchi, headquarters of the Zone.

Baba Tijjani who was represented by Deputy Commissioner of Police, Aliyu Adamu Alhaji assured that free, fair, credible and acceptable polls will be conducted in the Zone just as he reminded his Officers and men to respect the rights of individuals saying that it is unprofessional to inflict injury on innocent citizens.

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In his address, the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in the state, Alhaji Ibrahim Abdullahi enjoined the Police not wait for “orders” at the sight of criminality at any of the polling centres saying, “If you see someone coming with cutlass to arm another do you need to wait for any directive?, the best thing to do is to curtail this act”.

The INEC Commissioner also pleaded with Policemen to be civil in dealing with members of the public and be partners with relevant agencies like the media and other civil society organisations during the elections.

According to CP Emmanuel Ojukwu (Rtrd), one of the resource persons at the workshop, the exercise is focusing on “skill, competency and proper attitude to do their job to the satisfaction of the members of the public”.

The retired CP echoed that there are insufficient policemen in the Country therefore, there is need for the force to synergise with the public to ensure effectiveness in their duties and said that the new Acting Inspector General of Police, Muhammad Adamu has approved machinery and other necessary items needed to achieve hitch free general elections.

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He then cautioned the Police to desist from the act of “military policing, harassment, detention and random arrest of innocent citizens” just as he warned the public against electoral offences like ballot snatching, vote buying and others.

It is expected that the participants from the Zone who converged on Bauchi for the two-day capacity building training programme will return to their various States for implementation of the discourses.