Rivers rerun: IG vows to prosecute killers of policemen

THE Inspector-General of Police (IG), Mr Ibrahim Idris, has promised to prosecute those behind the killing of policemen during the legislative rerun elections in Rivers State.

He made the promise, when the chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu, paid him a condolence visit in Abuja on Wednesday.

“I want to assure you and the country that we will not leave any stone unturned to prosecute those behind the dastardly act,” he said.

He said that the officers were killed in the line of duty to their fatherland, noting that the situation in Rivers called for the contribution and support of government and party leaders.

“The incidents in Rivers show that we need the support of the people in the areas where elections were held. The situation in Rivers has shown that we must say no to election violence in the country,” he stated.

He said that four suspects had been arrested in connection with the killings, while investigations were ongoing to get to the root of the matter, just as he disclosed that the severed bodies of the killed policemen  had been found.

He promised that the police would hold any of its officers involved in election fraud in Rivers responsible.

Idris said that the panel to investigate incidents in Rivers elections would be inaugurated today, while forensic experts from outside the county would assist the panel to analyse the alleged  audio recordings.

The IG urged Nigerians to appreciate the efforts of the police and INEC officers in conducting elections in the country.

“We need the support of government and members of the political parties of the states where elections are held, “he said.

Earlier, the INEC chairman, Yakubu, said that there could never be peaceful elections in the country without adequate security.

“INEC cannot conduct free and fair elections without the Nigeria Police Force,”he said.

He said that the commission would continue to work with security agencies in the county to conduct peaceful elections.

“We have come to condole you and the police for the loss of your men at the Rivers elections,” he said.