2023 Election: Police Deploys 10,500 Security Personnel In Plateau

The Plateau State Police Command has said that over 10,500 security personnel from the Nigeria Police, the Military, the NSCDC, NIS, NCS, NDLEA, and Federal Fire Service would be deployed to the 4,989 polling units in Plateau for today’s governorship and state house of assembly elections.

Plateau State Commissioner of Police, Manman Daura, made this known to journalists on Friday, saying that the command would use every legal tool at its disposal to prevent politicians and those who support them from acting in a way that would incite the public to commit violent crimes.

He said the military will cordon off the entire state in accordance with the restriction on mobility, and they will also be present in all key strategic areas of the state to improve the protection of people and property during today’s election.

The CP further stated that the Inspector General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, has also approved and given the Command troops protective devices and anti-riot equipment to improve its operational capability to offer appropriate security during the election and beyond.

According to the Commissioner, inciting public disorder and breach of peace by careless speech and encouraging hate speech are also crimes that will not be tolerated.

“Because of that, any person who instigates a person or group of persons to do a thing to commit a criminal offense, engages with one or more other persons in a conspiracy for the doing of that thing, or if someone intentionally aids or facilitates any act or illegal omission, the doing of that thing makes that person liable for the offence of abetment,” he added.

“And so whoever abets an offense shall, if the act abetted is committed in consequence to the abetment, be punished with the punishment provided for the offense.”

He also issued a warning to religious leaders, notably pastors and imams, not to encourage their followers in ways that could disturb the peace that the people of Plateau State are currently enjoying.

He added that the command has taken steps to limit their operations before, during, and after the electioneering period.

Daura pleaded with guardians, parents, and traditional leaders to warn kids against actions or language that could cause problems.

“I warn you to ensure that your followers and wards are well behaved throughout the electioneering period and stay away from any form of thuggery as the Plateau State Police Command under my watch will not condone any form of misconduct”, he said.

As for the police officers under his command, the police commissioner added, “Any officer found wanting will be dealt with severely according to the Police Act and Regulations. I warn you to carry out your duties diligently in accordance with the set guidelines. You must be at your duty post during the election and accompany all materials to the racks and collation centers. You must not leave your duty posts until you have received a stand-down order.