By Tola Gbadamosi
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Ahead of the 2019 general elections, the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Doris, has directed men of the Ondo State Police Command, to implement a robust and elaborate security arrangement and measure to ensure adequate, sequenty and safety for the electionering period.
The Police boss who was represented by the Deputy Inspector General of Police, DIG, Southwest zone, DIG Agboola Oshodi, said community policy strategies is to enable the police security architecture to ensure a robust interact.
He made the statement in an interview with The Hope Metro, briefly after delivering a lecture to the men of the Command at the police headquarters, Igbatoro road, Akure Ondo state capital.
” I came here today to sensitise the officers and men on the coming 2019 election. To prepare them and make them to be more ready for the task ahead.
” The demand of the civilised world is that, the police is a key component of the election because they are supposed to protect lives and property.
“As for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials, likewise the census materials, they need to ensure a secured venue of the election and electoral materials. The police have to be trained and retrained. They need to be lectured so that they would perform as expected.
“What we have done today is to make sure they are ready for the task ahead. And their responses to the lecture shows that they are ready and in high spirits.
He told the Hope Metro that the police will definitely abide by the recent court judgement delivered by a Federal High Court, sitting in Akure.
” We should understand that the ability of the police to perform their jobs graciously depends on acceptance by the people that the police should exist in the first place.
” And the conduct of the police makes them readily available to do the work that would keep them stable.
The DIG who paid homage to the Deji of Akure, appreciated the paramount ruler of the land for receiving him.
He said, “I can see Ondo state is peaceful and I can see policemen are working with the public.”
He noted that in the fight against hoodlums in the state, the people and the community should try to look inward instead of relying on the police all the time.
“Every individual should should see how we can selflessly contribute not for yourself or family, but for the community.
The Deji who appreciated the visit of the DIG at the palace, called for a collaboration between the police and the youths in the state, saying, ” we need to be proactive. We need the youths and the police to have a relationship in other to totally eradicate miscreant in our society today.
He suggested that, there should be a unit created to enable the youth report happenings for adequate record keeping.
The monarch solicited the cooperation of the people of Ondo state with the police, as the nation prepares for the 2019 election, adding that there is need to address the stakeholders of political groups in Ondo state.
He reiterated that the issue of security should not be left for the police alone, but rather be seen as the business of everyone.
He, therefore, warned politicians never to engage in hate speeches during campaigns. But advised them to adhere strictly to electoral acts and rules guiding elections before, during and after elections.
He enjoined parents to ensure that their children or wards do not engage in electoral violence, but encourage them to join organisations like Boys’ Scout and Girls’ Guide. While he advised politicians to shun thuggery.
Also speaking at the occasion, the Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state, Amb. Oloruntoyin Akeju, who stated that Nigeria is still undergoing teething stage of election, pointed out that the political class had yet to learn the new approach to elections.
He advised the people of the state not to engage themselves in multiple registration since they stand the risk of forfeiting their chances to vote if detected.
Others that contributed at the meeting were the state Chairman of PCRC, Col. Falae (rtd) who commended the police for initiating a stakeholders meeting to sensitise the public on the way forward during election.
He also urged journalists and other docial media operators to be positive in their reports, by being factual when they embark on their coverage.
