The Nigerian Police has warned non-state actors together with state-owned vigilante group, Ebube-Agu, the Indigenous Individuals of Biafra, IPOB, and the Japanese Safety Community, ESN, to avoid the upcoming November 6 governorship election in Anambra State.
The Inspector-Normal of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, represented DIG Ben Okoro, gave the warning through the signing of the Nationwide Peace Accord at Worldwide Convention Centre, ICC, Awka, the state capital, forward of the Saturday’s election.
He maintained that the availability of safety through the governorship election is solely the duty of federal brokers.
The police warned that any particular person or group caught bearing arms to
hinder lawful voting or undermine the sovereignty of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, will probably be matched with decisive power.
“Any try by IPOB, ESN or some other non-state actor to intervene with the forthcoming election shall invite an instantaneous, coordinated and overwhelming legislation enforcement response,” the police warned.
“Precision focused intelligence operations are already energetic to determine, isolate and dismantle any community or particular person floating acts of intimidation, of violence the Nigerian state will reply firmly, lawfully and conclusively. The peace of Anambra State shall not be negotiated.
“Moreover, any individual or group discovered bearing arms, brandishing devices of intimidation, or performing unauthorized safety duties exterior acknowledged federal businesses shall be handled as an armed non state actor.
“Such individuals shall be swiftly neutralized, arrested and prosecuted beneath the Firearms Act, the Felony Code and the terrorism prevention and Prohibition Act 2022 this stays an operational crimson line that will probably be enforced with out hesitation.
“The Nigerian police power has activated the zero tolerance enforcement protocol to make sure whole compliance with the Electoral Act and associated legal guidelines.
“Electoral offenses will probably be handled as legal violations of nationwide safety, not mere political misconduct. Offenses resembling poll snatching, vote shopping for or voter intimidation, are felonies beneath the Electoral Act 2022.
“Officers are beneath strict instruction to impact speedy arrest primarily based on first proof and to make sure diligent prosecution by the electoral offenses desk already activated throughout the state.
“The target is straightforward, to discourage misconduct by swift and exemplary enforcement.
“As well as, specialised cyber crime items are deployed to observe, hint and counter a digital misinformation, faux information and coordinated on-line propaganda aimed toward destructing public peace or discrediting the method.
“The next Election Day protocols are binding and enforceable beneath federal legislation. VIP motion: No political appointee, candidate of VIP is permitted to maneuver with armed escorts or safety aids to polling or coalition facilities.
“Personnel mobility: Solely accredited INEC officers, election observers and journalists might transfer freely between designated areas.
“Occasion brokers and safety personnel should stay inside their signed jurisdictions.
“Prohibited conduct: Campaigning, partisan show or any act able to inflicting provocation throughout the neighborhood of polling items is prohibited.
“Possession of any weapon or instrument of intimidation will appeal to speedy arrest to all political events, candidates and marketing campaign managers, the duty for peace rests closely upon you.
“The Nigerian police power will maintain political management straight, straight accountable for the conduct of their supporters.”
