By Chris Nomjov
The Nigerian Police Force says it has uncovered plans by some politicians in Kogi to disguise themselves in police uniform and rig the state governorship election slated for Saturday, November 21.
The Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Solomon Arase disclosed this on Tuesday in Lokoja, at a stakeholders’ forum.
Arase said the primary objective of the shady politicians was to disrupt the election and cause mayhem.
Last week, the governorship candidate of Labour Party (LP), Dr Philip Salau, yesterday raised alarm over alleged plot by a political party to rig the forthcoming election in the state.
Salau, who was former deputy governor of the state, said at a press conference in Lokoja that “credible intelligence reports” have it that agents of the said party are planning to use officials of INEC to manipulate the smart card readers and also use thugs to rig the poll.
“We are aware from our intelligence services that a particular political party which I would not want to name now, has arranged to rig the election. They have bought some guns and distributed to all the senatorial districts,” he alleged.
He, therefore called on INEC and the Inspector General of Police to take proactive action.
Furthermore, Police Boss, Arase, revealed that measures have been taken to properly identify 12, 000 policemen that will be on duty during the election.
“We intend to dominate security space that day. if you want to test our strength, have a rethink,” he said.
Explaining their formation, he said that one unit of mobile policemen would be deployed to each of the 21 local government areas in the state for effective policing, adding that the officers will be backed up by armour personnel carriers, vehicles and other security apparatuses.
Furthermore, Arase said the police would be supported by the military, Civil Defence Corps, Immigration, Customs and Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) to provide effective security during the poll.
He urged people in the state to feel free to come out and vote for candidate of their choice.
