The Inspector General of Police Usman Alkali Baba has urged officers in charge of operations across the country to respect the rights of Nigerians and go after only trouble makers during the 2023 election.
Alkali gave the directive yesterday while hosting Deputy Commissioners of Police ‘B’ Department Operations (DECOMPOL OPS) across the 36 states and FCT in a ‘last-minute’ briefing prior to election at the International Conference centre, Abuja.
The emergency seminar is part of Alkali’s quest to ensure that officers of the Nigeria Police Force are adequately prepared to effectively police the 2023 General Elections, particularly officers responsible for strategic operational deployments and active field duties across the states of the Federation.
IGP Usman Alkali Baba, who ordered their convergence at the International Conference Centre noted that the one-day training focuses on practical approaches to curbing electoral violence within the election process.
According to him, “Trainings and retrainings would enhance our capacity to police the election. It is my hope and believe that we have a very critical role to play. We are going to prepare a conducive environment for Nigerians to come out and express their franchise. We have to respect the rights of every Nigerian, observing international best practice. We are also to prevent those who want to cause trouble.”
Professor Sunday Ochoche of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) was a keynote speaker alongside AIG Wilson Inalegwu (Rtd) and CP Lawrence Alobi (Rtd.).
The Inspector-General of Police assured that the Nigeria Police Force will collaborate with relevant stakeholders to ensure preparedness to deliver on its mandate of providing full security coverage before, during, and after the 2023 General Elections.
Details later….