Re-run Elections: IG Deploys AIG, 3 CPs to Rivers

Posted by African Examiner Featured, Latest Headlines, News Monday, March 14th, 2016

By Ayo Balogun

Abuja, Nigeria (African Examiner) – To ensure violence-free and credible election in the forthcoming legislative rerun in Rivers state, the Inspector-General of Police, Solomon Arase, has directed the Assistant Inspector-General in charge Zone 6, Baba Bolanta to relocate from Calabar to Port Harcourt.

The IG also ordered redeployment of three Commissioners of Police to the state ahead of the March 19 re-run elections.

A statement by Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olabisi Kolawole in Abuja said:

“In furtherance of strategies designed to prevent electoral violence and thus ensure a smooth and orderly conduct of the Rivers State re-run elections slated for March 19, 2016, the IG, Mr Arase, has directed the AIG in charge of Zone 6 Calabar, AIG Bolanta, to relocate to Port Harcourt on March 14, 2016 for pre-elections preparations with a view to ensuring conducive environment for free, fair and credible election.

“The IG, while disclosing that three Commissioners of Police have been deployed to supervise security arrangements in the three senatorial districts, Rivers East, Rivers West and Rivers South-East, stated that 6,000 conventional policemen and 14 Units of Police Mobile Force personnel (MOPOL), would be deployed to complement the personnel of Rivers State Command during the election.

“In addition, the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Department of Operations, DIG Sontoye Wakama, has also been directed to proceed to Rivers State immediately to hold meetings with stakeholders and police officers in the state command on the need for peaceful conduct before, during and after the elections.

“The IG, while assuring law-abiding electorate of a secure and enabling environment to exercise their franchise, warns all security details to desist from accompanying their principals and politicians to polling booths and collation centres during the election.

“He emphasizes that only security personnel specially assigned for election duties must be seen within and around the election designated places.”