Deputy Inspector-General of Police Marvel Akpoyibo is in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom capital, to monitor the local government elections in the state.
Akpoyibo, who is the DIG in charge of E-Department (Training) at the Police Headquarters, Abuja, addressed the stakeholders at the State Police Officers Mess on the need to have a crisis-free elections on Saturday.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the stakeholders were made up of traditional rulers, youth leaders, leaders of political parties, women leaders and the media.
“We are here to give you support and provide the enabling environment for you to conduct a peaceful election.
“The police do not conduct elections, the duty of the police is to provide security, we are trained to maintain law and order,” Akpoyibo said.
He said?the state police command had mobilised enough security personnel to cover all areas?so that people would feel a sense of security during the?exercise.
Akpoyibo, however, urged the stakeholders to see policing as a collective responsibility and to report any act capable of breaching the peace of the state to the police.
The DIG warned that anyone caught fomenting trouble in the course of the elections would be treated according to the provisions of the law.
Highlights of the meeting included? signing of an agreement by all stakeholders to maintain the peace during the elections.
NAN reports that 11 chairmanship positions out of 31 local government council areas will be returned unopposed during the chairmanship election on Saturday.
Meanwhile, the State Police Command has announced restriction of movement in the state between?7 a.m. and 3 p.m (NAN)