Election: Borno CP warns personnel against human rights abuse

Atiku Galadima – Maiduguri

The Police Commissioner in Borno, Abdu Umar, has warned personnel of the command against human rights abuse while enforcing restriction orders of all forms of vehicular movement within the State, from 12 am to 6 pm on Saturday’s polls.

In a statement released on Friday by the command Public Relations Officer, ASP Sani Kamilu Shatambaya explained that INEC officials, Electoral observers, Firefighters, Ambulances for emergencies and other essential services are exempted from such order.

He noted that the Command has warned all VIP aides and escorts to refrain from accompanying their principals and other politicians to the polling booth as that will attract stringent disciplinary measures.

According to him, “it is also pertinent to note that the electoral act 2023 has prohibited all quasi Security outfits such as vigilante groups, hunters, Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), and any other security organisation that is not of federal government setting or that is voluntary in nature, without legal backing from taking part of the exercise, as anyone found flouting the electoral laws or going about with arms is liable to be apprehended and prosecuted.

“The CP tasked all Police personnel and other sisters security agencies deployed for the assignment to respect the fundamental human rights of the citizenry and operate within the extant laws, rules and regulations guiding the conduct of the exercise.

“The CP commends the people of Borno, most especially the electorate for conducting themselves in a peaceful manner during the previous election and solicits for similar cooperations in the forthcoming elections.”

He called on the public to cooperate with all security personnel by rendering the support needed to ensure the success of the election in the state.

He also urged the people in the state to discharge their civic responsibility without fear, as measures have been put in place to forestall any incident that may likely disrupt the peaceful conduct of Saturday’s elections.

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