Follow Us on Google
By Christopher Oji
The police have revealed that 30,000 policemen have been trained and will be deployed for the Lagos State local government council elections holding on Saturday.
The officers will be complemented by personnel from sister security agencies
This is coming just as two suspected killers of chairman, Tricycle Operators Association, Lagos State chapter, Rasak Bello, aka Hamburger, have been arrested.
It was gathered that Samson, alias Golden, and Babatunde, aka Hanger, were arrested June 20, 2017.
According to Lagos State Police Commissioner, Fatai Owoseni, the security agencies were ready for the council elections, and the police and sister agencies had perfected plans on how to ensure violence-free polls.
He said an inter-agency committee had been put in place, with operational plans drawn on how to monitor flashpoints.
Owoseni said: “The command can say that security agencies are fully prepared for the local council elections. We have scheduled training/workshop for participating agencies. We have also fashioned out an interactive session with representatives of political parties and candidates for the election.
“We are looking at deploying 30,000 personnel to cover the elections. This figure would be augmented by personnel from sister agencies.
“We are using this forum to warn all those planning to cause trouble or truncate the exercise that they won’t be given any chance. Violence would not be tolerated. We are poised to ensure that the elections and electioneering are devoid of violence.
“We would discharge our responsibilities and obligations in consonance with the Lagos State Electoral Law. All electorate, candidates and officials are assured of their safety and security. Anyone who dares to test the ability of security forces will have his/herself to blame because perpetrators of violence would face the full wrath of the law.”
On the arrest of suspected killers of Hamburger, Owoseni said the two men were in police custody and would soon be charged to court.
Said he: “They have made useful statements to the police and we are charging them to the court as soon as possible. The police had promised to ensure justice prevailed in the case of the murder. We are aware of the allegations and counter-allegations the Hamburger murder generated.
“When the incident occurred, the command indicated that it would not be swept under the carpet. Investigation has been on since then and pursued with all sense of seriousness. The principal suspect, Samson, alias Golden, and one Babatunde have been in our custody. They have volunteered useful statement to the police and will soon be arraigned in court for prosecution.”
