Osun election: IGP Idris reacts to ‘arrest, harassment of observers, voters, journalists’ by police
claims that security agencies harassed and arrested election observers
and journalists in the just concluded governorship election in Osun
State.
Idris insisted that no election observer and journalists were arrested
by his men during the just concluded election.
In a statement issued by the Force spokesperson, Jimoh Moshood, Idris
also commended men of the Force for their professionalism during the
election.
The statement reads, "The Inspector General of Police, IGP Ibrahim K.
Idris, NPM, mni has expressed utmost satisfaction with the
implementation of the Robust Security Arrangement for the Osun State
Gubernatorial Election and commends the Deputy Inspector General of
Police, Department of Operations, the entire Police Personnel,
Officers and Men of other Security and Safety Agencies under the
Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES)
deployed for Election Security during the just concluded Osun State
Gubernatorial Election on Saturday, 22nd September, 2018, and the
Re-run election of Thursday, 27th September, 2018.
"The IGP appreciates the commitment and civility of the entire
security personnel in ensuring adequate security and conducive
environment for a credible Gubernatorial Election in Osun State.
"The IGP further extols the high-level professionalism, politeness,
firmness and unbiased conducts of the Police Personnel, before, during
and after the election. The Nigeria Police Force equally appreciates
the law-abiding attitude and peaceful conduct of the good people of
Osun State, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC),
Election Monitors/Observers, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), the
Media and other critical stakeholders for a good working relationship
with the security personnel deployed for the election. The good
disposition and spirit of sportsmanship exhibited by most of the
political parties in the election which doused fear and tensions
during the election is gratifying and highly commendable.
"As a lead security agency in election security in a democracy, the
IGP further commends the entire security personnel deployed for the
election for their personal sacrifice, collective patriotism and
commitment in ensuring that the election was conducted in an
atmosphere of peace devoid of any breach of public peace and security
throughout the period of the election, the Commissioners of Police and
their personnel in the States contiguous to Osun State who were placed
on Red Alert by the Inspector General of Police are equally
appreciated.
"The impressive performance of the Police personnel to ensure law and
order and a successful election is a clear testimony of the capability
of the Nigeria Police Force in its renewed commitment to continue to
adhere to International Best Practices in the conduct of elections in
the country now and in the future.
"It is imperative to state that, there was no any Election Observer,
Journalist or Electorate arrested, detained or prevented from carrying
out their statutory civic responsibilities/duties during the period of
the Election. There were also no official complaints of violence or
injury to persons reported by any individual(s)/group at any Police
Station/Division in all the Seven (7) Units where the re-run election
were held on 27th September 2018, however, any member of the public
with any complain now should do so at the nearest Police Station for
immediate investigation.
"Members of the public are hereby implored to disregard and
discountenance claims in some certain sections of the media that the
security agencies intimidate Journalists, Election Observers and
voters during the re-run election as untrue, unfounded and entirely
hear-say.
"The Nigeria Police Force will continue to sustain and improve on the
election security successes recorded in the Gubernatorial Elections in
Edo, Ondo, Anambra, Ekiti States and the just concluded Gubernatorial
Election in Osun State as an index for the conduct of subsequent
elections in the Country."
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