Ahead of the August 30th local government elections in Rivers State, the Rivers state Police Command has vowed to crush cultists or anyone planning to foment trouble during the chairmanship and councillorship polls.
The State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, made the declaration while speaking to newsmen at his office in Port Harcourt on Tuesday.
He said the state Command has all it takes to checkmate any action aimed at causing a breach of the peace before, during and after the elections, even as it announced the restriction of human and vehicular movements from midnight of the election eve to 6 pm on the day of the election, adding however, that those on essential duties and election-related assignments l will be provided with necessary tags to enable them to go about their duties.
Adepoju lauded people and residents of the state for their peaceful disposition and understanding since the declaration of the state of emergency there, describing them as ‘matured and peace loving’.
CP Adepoju assured that all security arrangements to ensure a free, fair and peaceful election have been put in place, saying “all the security agencies are going to participate with the police as the lead agency.”
He added further that all materials for the election will be escorted, and there will be robust security for people to exercise their franchise.
“We will be there for them, before, during and after the elections. Those who want to foment trouble should desist because we are not going to take it kindly”, he said, averring that already there has been a series of raids on all blackspots and vulnerable points across the state, saying, “I think we have it good now”.
He further said stakeholders’ meetings have been held where all the political parties have signed a peace accord and have given their word to maintain peace during the exercise.
“Every security agency will take part in this election because it is a state of emergency. Definitely, we are going to have Police Mobile Force men from Abuja to come and complement our men here. We have enough manpower on the ground for this election. I assure you there won’t be a problem. If there is anyone trying to foment trouble, we have all it takes to keep them in check”, he stated.
