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PSC hails police officers for resisting hijack of elections by miscreants
The Police Service Commission (PSC) has expressed its appreciation to the officers and personnel of the Nigeria Police Force for effectively thwarting attempts by miscreants to hijack off-cycle elections. In a statement released on Sunday, Ikechukwu Ani, Head of Press and Public Relations, conveyed that the Police Service Commission Staff Monitors, deployed across the nine Senatorial districts of Kogi, Imo, and Bayelsa states, reported that the police on election duty demonstrated courage and effectively managed intermittent attempts to disrupt the elections.
The statement noted that officers at various polling units were described as courteous, approachable, and professional. Despite incidents of attacks on voting units, with arrests made, particularly in Kogi State, the police were successful in containing these situations. In Bayelsa State, there were reported pockets of attacks in Brass and other riverine areas, but the police effectively managed these challenges.
While reports of vote-buying surfaced in the three states, the statement emphasized that there was no evidence of police officers colluding with such activities during election duties. The Police Service Commission monitored five of the eight local governments in Imo West, reporting visible patrols of policemen collaborating with the military on major roads. In Bayelsa, police officers arrived early at voting units, dressed appropriately, and displayed a high level of professionalism.
The statement highlighted that an average of two policemen were observed in most voting units, with early signals and arrests of miscreants reported in Kogi State. The officers on election duty received commendations from officers of sister agencies.
Dr. Solomon Arase, the Chairman of the Commission, who monitored the exercise in Kogi, commended the three Deputy Inspectors General of Police supervising operations in the states for their quick responses to the Commission’s requests for police intervention. Arase advised the police to remain vigilant after the election results are announced and directed quick investigations and disciplinary actions for areas with reported police misconduct.
The Commission, under Arase’s leadership, pledged to continue monitoring police conduct during elections to ensure optimal performance. The PSC Staff Monitors operated across the nine Senatorial districts, while the National Coordinating team collaborated with civil society groups from the Situation Room in Abuja.
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has reported that a joint operation involving Nigerian military troops and Department of State Services (DSS) operatives resulted in the elimination of 52 terrorists and the apprehension of a leader of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in Bauchi State.
The ISWAP leader was captured in a sting operation at Tarum, a village outside Bauchi Metropolis, as disclosed by Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, the Director of Defence Media Operations, in a statement on Friday.
While the DHQ did not disclose the name of the arrested ISWAP leader, it revealed that the individual held a significant role in the North Central and North West zones.
The military high command emphasized that targeting terrorist leadership is crucial in ensuring the safety and security of citizens, with ongoing operations consistently diminishing the fighting force and capacity of these groups.
Maj.-Gen. Buba noted that Nigerian Air Force airstrikes played a key role in destroying terrorist leaders’ enclaves in the North West and North Central zones in the past week.
The week’s operations resulted in the neutralization of 52 terrorists, the arrest of 204 individuals associated with terrorism, and the rescue of 234 kidnapped hostages. Additionally, in the South-South zone, troops recovered stolen crude oil and illegal refined products, destroyed various equipment and sites used for illegal activities, and seized a substantial amount of weapons, ammunition, vehicles, and other items associated with criminal operations.
Solomon Arase, the Chairman of the Police Service Commission, has expressed distress regarding the escalating violence against security personnel, particularly police officers, in the South East region.
The former Inspector General of Police highlighted the growing number of police officers’ wives becoming widows due to attacks by gunmen in the area. In a statement by Ikechukwu Ani, Head of Press and Public Relations, Arase conveyed his apprehension during a courtesy visit by leaders of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) chapter, in Abuja.
Arase emphasized that it’s essential to communicate to the assailants that the police are not their adversaries and have committed no wrongdoing. He lamented the loss of numerous serving officers in the South East, urging the perpetrators to recognize the police as friends and cease making widows out of officers’ wives, who are essentially their sisters.
Furthermore, Arase assured that the Commission has addressed the perceived marginalization of the South East in police representation nationwide.
Elder Onwu Arua, the leader of the Ohanaeze delegation, expressed concern about the lack of interest among people in the South East regarding the ongoing police recruitment exercise. He urged the Police Service Commission to devise strategies to address this issue.
On Friday, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) alleged that Governor Peter Mba was facing pressure from “Aso Rock” to discredit the Supreme Court ahead of the judgment on its leader, Nnamdi Kanu, scheduled for December 15. IPOB based this claim on Mba’s characterization of the group as a proscribed organization, a statement he made after visiting President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
IPOB cautioned the governor against making a “costly mistake” by using the group’s name to gain favor from Tinubu’s administration. In a statement by Powerful, a spokesperson for IPOB, it was emphasized that Mba’s comments were deemed reckless and unguarded. The statement alleged that Mba, under pressure from the federal government, accused IPOB of being responsible for the sit-at-home protest and insecurity in the Southeast.
The statement pointed out that Mba had previously condemned Simon Ekpa, who was associated with the enforcement of the Monday sit-at-home. IPOB expressed skepticism about the governor’s motives and suggested that his statements were influenced by the Tinubu administration.
IPOB urged the public to dismiss the governor’s remarks, describing him as a “cowardly governor” making unfounded accusations. The statement reminded Mba that IPOB is not easily intimidated and warned against attempting to use the group’s name for political advantage.
The statement concluded by calling on the Nigerian Supreme Court Justices not to succumb to blackmail, urging the release of Nnamdi Kanu, who was acquitted by the Court of Appeal. IPOB reiterated its commitment to the cause of self-determination and emphasized that the movement would not yield to blackmail or pressure.
Troops kill 52 terrorists, arrest ISWAP leader in Bauchi – DHQ
‘Stop making police officers’ wives widows’ – Arase decries killing of cops in South East
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