.…Orders strict enforcement of IGP’s directives to continuously mop-up illicit fire arms/ammunition
….Restricts vehicular movement
Ibe Pascal, Owerri
Mohammed Barde, the Imo State Commissioner of police said the command is fully prepared to provide security during and after State House of Assembly elections on Saturday.
Speaking through the command’s spokesperson, Henry Okoye, CP Barde mandated Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers and Tactical Team Commanders to embark on intensive visibility policing, intelligence-led, stop and search, Operation Show of Force with other sister security agencies across all major/feeder roads of the state.
CP Barde also ordered strict enforcement of IGP’s directives to continuously mop-up illicit fire arms/ammunition.
The statement reads, “Sequel to the Imo State Police Command unresolved commitment to provide adequate security for the smooth conduct of a peaceful, secured and credible election, the Commissioner of Police, CP Mohammed Ahmed Barde psc(+) has ordered a strict enforcement of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba NPM, fdc, NEAPS, CFR, directives to continuously mop-up illicit arms/ammunition and stem down the tide of insecurity in the State.
“The CP has mandated Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers and Tactical Team Commanders to embark on intensive visibility policing, intelligence-led, stop and search, Operation Show of Force with other sister security agencies across all major/feeder roads of the state, while ensuring that officers and men observe the Standard Operational Procedure (SOP), adopt the best professional ethics and maintain the highest sense of neutrality in delivering a modernized civil oriented and human rights compliant Police service during the election.
“The command having done a comprehensive appraisal of the security measures put in place during the Presidential and National Assembly Elections, have emplaced enhanced security strategies to ensure that the State House of Assembly Election slated for 18th March, 2023, is more peaceful and secured. As such, the command is assiduously working in synergy with other sister security agencies, with the exception of the local security outfits and have emplaced robust security apparatus, spreading it’s security tentacles across all INEC Offices, Collation Centers, Polling Units and other sensitive locations across the 27 LGAs in the state to guarantee the safety of INEC Officials, Electoral materials, Electorates, Local and Foreign Observers and other residents of the state during and after the forthcoming Election.
“In the same vein, the Command wishes to reiterate the strict restriction of all forms of vehicular movement from 12am till 6pm of 18/03/2023, across all major/feeder roads within the state. Also, the ban of tinted permit, unauthorized use of sirens and spy/covered plate number is still in force. The CP crave the indulgence of Imolites to comply with these directives which is part of the measures put in place to assist the security agencies in providing adequate security as violators will be sanctioned appropriately.
“Finally, the CP commends Imolites, most especially the electorates for turning out en masse to exercise their franchise and for conducting themselves in a peaceful manner during the previous election and solicits for similar cooperation in the forthcoming elections.
He warns in strong terms that the command will arrest and prosecute any criminal minded element/non state actors that intend to disrupt the electoral process and beckons on the well meaning residents of the state to shun vote buying, hate speech, fake news, uploading fake results on social media platforms, as that may heat up the polity in the state. He encourages Imolites to report any suspicious person(s) or clandestine activities in their vicinity via the Command’s emergency lines 08034773600 or 08098880197 or 08145235444.
