Police deploy more personnel to Intelligence Dept
The Police High Command has moved more personnel to the Intelligence Department of the Force.
The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr. Hafiz Ringim, who made the revelation yesterday said the move was in preparation for the on-coming general election.
The IGP, who spoke through the Force Public Relations Officer (FPPRO), Mr. Olusola Amore said the intelligence officers have been to all nook and crannies of the country, including drinking joints, markets and other public places to gather information on breach of security before the elections.
'We don't want to take chances. We want to be proactive and we want to nip in the bud any problem.'
'We have deployed officers and men to every nook and crannies of the country to gather intelligence for a successful 2011 elections. We have also revitalized the States Criminal Investigations Department (SCIDs) and Criminal Investigation Bureau (CIBs), we have posted new hands there to boost the strength of the departments. We are not leaving any stone unturned to ensure a smooth election.
We are also collaborating with sister security agencies across the nation. The Nigeria police are fully ready to play our role in the forthcoming election for the progress of our fatherland.' According to him, the plain-clothed intelligence officers have already started playing their role across various nooks and crannies where voters' registration exercise is taking place. They are to ensure that the registration exercise is not hijacked by hoodlums and street urchins popularly called 'Area boys.' Although they move around areas where registration exercise is going on unnoticed and supported by regular policemen whose duty are to ensure that daily movement of the Data Capture Machine by INEC temporary staff from their offices to their respective places of operation was not interrupted by some elements.
Daily Sun gathered that the spate of bomb blast and other violent crimes in recent times has been disturbing to the IG. This is said to have prompted him into taking actions that would nip such occurrences in the bud in the future.
The trend had caused the high command to mobilize thousands of police personnel to Abuja venue of the recent Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Primaries.