By MIKE OSAROGIAGBON
Benin City – Apparently ready to crush any trouble that may arise during and after the Saturday February 16, 2019 general elections, the Nigeria Police, Army, Air Force, Department of State Security (DSS) and other security agencies, on Thursday conducted a massive Operation Show of Force in Benin City, the Edo State Capital.
The warning exercise which kicked off from the state police command headquarters at about 7a.m also paraded gallant personnel of Nigeria Navy, Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), Immigration, and the Nigeria Prisons all of whom moved round major streets in Benin City.
Amour Personal Carrier (APC), patrol vans said to have been deployed for the exercise were on the road as police helicopters hovered around Benin during the show of force.
The exercise, according to the police was a warning.
Addressing journalists during a stopover at the University of Benin (UNIBEN) main gate, the Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu said the exercise was a strong warning signal to those planning to perpetrate violence before, during and after the polls.
He said security agencies would not hesitate to clampdown on such troublemakers.
CP Odumosu who appealed to parents and guardians to warn their wards against being used by politicians to scuttle the elections, expressed confidence in the preparedness of the security agencies to protect lives and properties while the exercise lasted.
“This is a demonstration of synergy security agencies in the state. We are all moving in line with directive to every area where the elections will be taking place.
“The basis for this is to let the general public know that security agencies are on red alert and working in unison to show preparedness and build confidence in members of the public.
“Those who ready to test our will, in unity we stand, so we are by this occasion warning those that have negative plans to stop it because the various agencies are on top of the security situation to ensure the elections are fair,” CP Hakeem assured.
Meanwhile, with less than 24-Hours to the commencement of Saturday’s elections, some operatives of Edo Police Command has flocked the state headquarters to ascertain the areas posted to for the polls.
