The Assistant Inspector General of police,zone 2, Joseph Mbu,on Thursday, declared that elections in his zone will be “fire for fire” if politicians play any pranks. The controversial police boss, Mr. Mbu, also urged officers and men of the police to ensure they man their duty posts during the general elections.
Mbu made the call on Thursday in Abeokuta while addressing the officers during his maiden visit to the headquarters of Ogun Police Command.
The Zone comprises of Lagos State and Ogun Police Commands.
He said the call had become necessary to prevent politicians with ulterior motives from hijacking election materials particularly, at polling centres.
He said: “You must ensure that you take effective charge at your various beats or the polling centres to which you may be posted.
“Officials from the army and other security agencies that you may see there are to help you.
“The police have the primary responsibility for ensuring violent-free polls.
“You are in charge and you must perform your duties professionally; you must be bold and brave.”
The AIG, who urged the policemen to shun indiscipline, warned that any officer found wanting in the discharge of his or her duties would be severely punished.
“Please note that our role during these elections is critical and our actions or inactions could make or mar the elections,” he said.
Mbu also urged the electorate and politicians in the zone to play by the rules in order to avoid being arrested by the police.
Mr.Mbu instructed his men to be battle ready for the election and warned politicians to have a second thought over any planned criminal act. He said if any of his men were shot,no less than 20 civilians would pay for it.
“If any of my men is killed, I shall kill twenty of them, but don’t shoot first”, Mr.Mbu said.
“If they shoot you, shoot back in self defence. Anybody who fires you,fire back in self defence”
He told his men they were the only authority that had power before,during and after the elections. He noted that it was not compulsory for the police officers to greet even a governor who comes to vote.
“You have the power to stop the governor”,he said.”We are in a critical period. We are not paramilitary. We must be bold and brave.Keep an eagle eye on everybody. We are authorised by the constitution to arrest before,during and after the elections”.
This is coming on the heels of AIG Mbu’s debacle with officials of the LCC, few days ago. NewsWireNgr reported that, the Police chief refused to pay toll at the Lekki toll gate and threatened to withdraw the Police officers on duty, at the Lekki toll gates.
Mr.Mbu came to national limelight following his public squabbles with the Rivers state governor, Rotimi Amaechi, while he was a police commissioner in the state.
Mr.Amaechi accused Mr.Mbu of plotting to kill him and called the AIG a tool of the presidency. Mbu, is still viewed, in many quarters, as an agent of the Presidency, and his recent deployment, to Lagos, is still seen, as a ploy to snatch Lagos, from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
