The Police headquarters in Abuja has denied that it was indicted by INEC over its conduct in the Rivers re-run elections saying the force is apolitical and does not engage in political partisanship regarding elections and democratic duties.
The Force headquarters was responding to media reports which disclosed the panel set up by the Inspector General of Police to probe violence and sundry allegations during the December 10, 2016 elections, indicted the police officers deployed to provide security for the elections.
The denial came just as Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State noted that under a fair and just atmosphere, those officers indicted by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, report would have been made to face the law and be dealt with accordingly.
Speaking during a campaign of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, at Okehi, headquarters of Etche Local Government Area, ahead of the re-run election for Etche/Omuma federal constituency and Etche state constituency seats, he said, “If we were in a civilized country with the right leadership, the persons mentioned in the report would have resigned from their positions.
“They should bury their heads in shame. They are plotting how to kill us, but God is exposing them. It is only God that has the final say”.
Wike advised INEC and security agencies to ensure a free and fair re-run election in the area on Saturday just as he appealed to people of the area to vote overwhelmingly for his party.
He told them, “The money that is keeping Nigeria afloat is from Rivers State. Therefore, Nigeria must listen to Rivers State. The voices of our people must be heard”.
On its part, the Police HQ described the media report as misleading explaining that steps were taken to arrest police personnel indicted in the unwholesome practices and they were tried and dismissed.
A statement by Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Jimoh Moshood said, “The attention of the Nigeria Police Force has been drawn to media publication titled “INEC REPORT ON RIVERS RERUN INDICTS POLICE, OTHERS”
“The Nigeria Police Force as the lead agency in election security in the country recognizes the need to ensure that the rule of law, policing based on International core values with integrity, principles of Democratic policing in conformity with the electoral acts prevail in all its operations as regard elections, and protection of life and property across the nation.
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“Consequent on the conduct of the Rivers Rerun Election of 10th December, 2016 and the attendant irregularities and violence witnessed during the election, the Nigeria Police Force acted promptly and proactively by the setting up and Inaugurating a joint Investigative Panel, made up of Senior Police Officers and Officers of Department of State Security Service with proven integrity by the Inspector General of Police, on the 22nd December, 2016.
The panel was to investigate all the misconducts, identified infractions, incidents of violence and other actions and inactions of Police personnel and INEC officials, other security agencies and stakeholders who were deployed for the 10th December, 2016 Rivers rerun election.
“The investigation Panel was further mandated to also investigate the prevalence of violent crimes, such as armed robbery, kidnapping/hostage taking, hijack of election materials and attacks on electorates, INEC members of staff, ad-hoc personnel and other stakeholders that were involved either directly or indirectly in the conduct of the election.
“The joint investigation panel submitted its report to the Inspector General of Police on the 7th February, 2017.
“The Nigeria Police Force identified and proactively taken action against six (6) Police Officers who were indicted by the Investigative Panel report to have compromised, engaged in serious misconduct, misused of fire arms, and for other conducts in violation of the electoral act and other enabling laws during the Rivers rerun election.
“They were arrested, investigated and subjected to internal disciplinary measures, after being found guilty were dismissed from the Force and paraded before the media on 6th January, 2017 and are awaiting prosecution.
“Other agencies whose personnel were also indicted by the Joint Investigation Panel are expected to do the same to their personnel indicted in the report without any further delay.
“Twenty three (23) INEC Electoral Officers and two (2) Administrative officials who were indicted by the panel were arrested, investigated and total sum of one hundred and eleven million three hundred thousand naira (#111, 300,000) confessed to have been collected from the Governor of Rivers State, Barr. Nyesom Wike was recovered from them.
“The Nigeria Police Force is apolitical and will not engage in any political partisanship, and will continue to ensure that election security is guaranteed across the country.”
END
