The Ogun State
Police Command yesterday read a riot act to suspected political thugs
ahead of the rescheduled general elections, warning that the command
had perfected the security network in its domain to deal ruthlessly
with anyone caught.
The Commissioner
of Police newly deployed to the state, Olayinka Balogun, made this
known after a meeting with all Area Commanders, Divisional Police
Officers and Head of Departments held at Eleweran Police Headquarters
in Abeokuta, the state capital. The police boss also revealed that his
command is working assiduously in collaboration with other security
agencies in the state during and after election, stressing that, “The
Ogun State Police Command wishes to inform the general public that all
hands are on deck to provide adequate security during the rescheduled
general elections in Ogun State. Mr. Balogun said he has also given out
directives to officers and men in the Command on how best to achieve
effective protection and policing of Independent National Electoral
Commission {INEC} officials, electoral materials and electorates in
general. He, however, advised the people of Ogun State to remain calm
and be law-abiding as the command will not hesitate to arrest and
prosecute anyone caught in any violent act or any act capable of
causing the breakdown of law and order during and after the election in
the State.
In the same vein,
the Commissioner of Police appeals to the general public to assist the
Police by giving useful information that will catalyse the perfect
security arrangement on ground to achieve free, fair and credible
election through the following telephone numbers: 08032136765. (Control
Room), 08037168147. (PPRO), 08037441955. (Gateway Response Squad) and
08039469438. (AC operations). He urged members of the public to utilise
these numbers to alert the Police in case of occurrence of any
electoral offences or any acts that can affect the smooth running of
the voting exercise.
In another
development, State Chapter of Peoples Party of Nigeria (PPN) said it is
impressed by large turnout, perseverance, good conduct and support for
the members of the party last Saturday, before the suspended poll “It
is noteworthy that the massive turnout and the voting pattern while the
exercise lasted before the postponement is a great encouragement for
the party and our candidates because a victory tone has been set and
the reality has finally dawn on our opponents that concocted lies and
fabrications can never sway the good people of Ogun State from
embracing the PPN as the Party of choice” the statement signed by
Raheem Ajayi, party publicity secretary.
“We urge our
people to sustain their support for the party and come out again on
Saturday, April 9th , 2011 for the rescheduled National Assembly
election as well as subsequent elections to vote for the Peoples Party
of Nigeria (PPN) candidates in every stage of the elections,” he stated.
