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By Christopher Oji
Ahead of tomorrow’s Presidential and National Assembly elections,the Nigeria Police Force said it will teamed up with the Economic and Financial Commission (EFCC), Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and other sister agencies to frustrate vote buying in Lagos.
This was revealed by the Assistant Inspector-General Of Police (AIG), in charge of Zone Command, Onikan, Lagos , comprising of Lagos and Ogu states,Mr. Abiodun Alabi, during a meeting with sister agencies, including the anti graft agencies.
The AIG, said,” the era of vote buying is over in Lagos, and Ogun states, which are under my command. Today, the police as lead security agencies have met with all the security agencies and anti graft agencies in lagos. We have met to strategies about the upcoming election tomorrow and thereafter. Part of what we discussed is vote buying ,so people should not entatain any fear of vote buying.
” We also discussed certain issues by working together and that is the reason the meeting was convened to rub minds and be on the same page with regards to the election tomorrow.Well, I am not going to let you know our strategic plans, because that will be bad, by bringing people that are not supposed to know our works, but what I can assure is that we are on the same page, everything is about security, ensuring that the election is peaceful, credible and fair. That is exactly what we are going to do tomorrow and thereafter.
“Well, all of us are here, the Military, Department of State Security (DSS), Civil Defense Corps, and other agencies. Everybody is on the same page , don’t be surprised that everybody is a stakeholder when it comes to your security and nobody is left out, we are together here, our waterways is secured with Marine police supported by the navy, even our air force, the air commodore has assured us that they are going to handle air fighters for area surveillance, so we can see that we are prepared.The border is well controlled, you can see the customs,and immigration officers.
“Nobody can stop anybody from voting, everybody has the right to vote, and whoever wants to vote will be allowed to vote, that’s the reason why we are enforcing strict restrictions of movements ,and you will see a lot of police officers and the military on patrol to alley any fears from anybody causing any threat.
“Just obey the laws, what I want to advice lagosians and Nigerians is for them to go out there and cast their vote, after voting go back to your house, don’t form any gang saying that you want to disturb the electoral process.We have addressed all the aeas and we know all the areas where trouble makers are .I don’t think there is going to be much issues on ground, they have party agents who are going to sign the document there, so I don’t see any problem at all.
“Everybody, including non indigenes is secured under our watch, there is no discrimination at all, so the issue of non indigens does not arise there, so we have a role to play, so we are providing comfort for everybody, they should be no issues at all.
In my own knowledge, I don’t think that’s necessary, I mean nobody should tell you what you’re supposed to do , your vote is your personal property and it’s very wrong to take pictures.that is it.
Meanwhile, the police have warned that there is strict restriction human and vehicular today between 12 midnight and 6 pm across all roads, waterways and airways in Lagos State.
In the same vein, security aides of public and private individuals, who have already been scaled down in accordance with the Electoral Act 2022, are not allowed to escort their principals to polling units and collation centers armed.
According to Lagos State Commissioner of Police Mr Idowu Onwohunwa, ” except for essential duty vehicles such as ambulances, fire trucks, patrol vehicles of Federal Government security agencies, the use of sirens at or around polling units and collation centres is totally banned. In line with the Electoral Act 2022, no state-owned security agency is part of election security. Violators will be apprehended and prosecuted. Exempted from the movement restriction are essential workers, INEC officials and election observers.
“Meanwhile, members of the public are encouraged to be law-abiding as they exercise their franchise. They are equally urged to promptly contact the police on any of the following numbers to report suspicious persons or activities around them: 08127155132, 08065154338, 08063299264, 08039344870”.
