Reassures more secure, smooth electoral process
Confirms viability of existing electoral offences desks
Nigeria’s Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba has approved the setting up of an Election Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Team for deployment across the states of the federation, as part of efforts to ensure safe, secure, and credible general elections.
The purpose of the team is also to ensure adequate security coverage before, during and after the 2023 general elections.
The team will identify, analyze and mitigate threats, as well as carry out on-the-spot assessment and appraisal of the security emplacements ahead of the 2023 general elections.
According to a statement released on Wednesday by Force Headquarters, Abuja Public Relations Officer, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the IGP has similarly appointed the Vice President (INTERPOL) and Head, National Crime Bureau (NCB), AIG Garba Baba Umar, psc, as the National Coordinator of the team.
Team is made up of experienced and seasoned Police Officers with vast knowledge in election security management, to be assisted by other team members including the AIG Force Secretary, AIG Habu Sani, CP Election Monitoring, CP Basil Idegwu and Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi.
The team also comprises 7 other Commissioners of Police, 15 Deputy Commissioners of Police, 30 Assistant Commissioners of Police, 30 Chief Superintendents of Police, and 16 Strategic Officers of other ranks.
While reiterating the commitment of the Police to ensuring that the elections are safe, secure, credible, and in line with global best practices, the IGP tasked the team to, amongst other things, ensure the propriety of deployments.
He also tasked them to give real-time coverage of the electoral process, and safeguard against hostile external and internal influence using INTERPOL, anti-cybercrime and intelligence tools and assets of the Nigeria Police Force.
“In the same vein, the IGP reaffirmed the establishment and viability of the Electoral Offences Desks domiciled at the State Criminal Investigation Departments (SCID) of all commands across the nation headed by the Assistant Commissioners of Police in charge of the SCID.
“The Electoral Offences Desk is saddled with the responsibility of collating, investigating and prosecuting all matters relating to electoral offences nationwide.
“The Inspector-General of Police, therefore, calls on well-meaning Nigerians, international communities, and all stakeholders to support the NPF teams in all areas, particularly on intelligence sharing and regular engagements, to achieve success in the 2023 General Elections,” the statement added.
