Category: Edo 2020

By Raymond Mordi, Precious Igbonwelundu and Bisi Olaniyi

As Edo people prepare to go to the polls, the police have deployed anti-bomb experts to sweep voting and collation centres for possible explosive devices that could mar the exercise.

The experts, according to the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) in charge of security for the election, Adeleye Oyebade, were all over the state working to prevent anything untoward from happening.

The DIG gave this assurance during an interview with The Nation at the Command Headquarters in Benin City where he reiterated their readiness to protect lives and properties of all election stakeholders.

According to Oyebade, the police started preparing for the election some months ago and were able to identify black spots based on risk assessment conducted.

He said there would be simultaneous ground, water and air operations in order to share active intelligence in real time for suspicious elements to be apprehended.

Asked how the police intend to secure the waterways from thugs and militants who might be smuggled in by politicians, Oyebade said the Marine Police and Nigerian Navy (NN) personnel were already collaborating on that.

He said: “The possibility of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) or other explosives were part of our risk assessment and we have taken steps to ensure no such thing happens. We have technical platforms that we do not discuss how they operate.

“Our bomb disposal experts are all over the state. They have done and are doing what is required of them to ensure we have one of the best outings.

“For an election like this, we know that people might want to come in from neighbouring states to forment trouble or do things that might mar the exercise. So, we have our different levels of condoning to address that.

Read Also: Edo: Buhari warns against violence, rigging of poll

“All adjoining states will be properly policed both exit and entry points. We are also looking at our security on the waterway. The marine police and naval personnel are collaborating in that direction. We will also from the air space do a lot of surveillance to identify possible clandestine gatherings that might be inimical to the success of the election.

“We have been going round telling the people the importance of their coming out and the fact that police will always protect lives and properties before, during and after the elections.”

Asked the number of arrests made and small arms mopped up, Oyebade said the police do not want to make news of such issues but would rather prosecute apprehended persons diligently in court.

“On those that have been arrested even before now, we wouldn’t want to start making news about it. But the arrests have doused the tension some more. Some arrests were made two weeks ago and we are using the legal instrument, evidential requirements to ensure proper prosecution.

“We have strategies in place to prevent vote buying. We are trying to be proactive by telling them that whosoever is caught engaging in vote buying or selling will face the law. The law is explicit and unambiguous about this and we will make sure to use it to address those caught.

“We are collaborating with relevant sister agencies in the area of vote buying and they will be planted covertly at polling units. So, if you are soliciting for votes, you might not know the next person standing by you is a plain clothed agent and you will be arrested,” said Oyebade.

Warning actors to play by the rules, the DIG said the police would not shy away from their responsibility of diligently prosecuting anyone found to have breached any provision of the Electoral Act.

“We are stressing all the guidelines given out because we are going to enforce them. The basic thing is that people are getting to know that our coming is not to intimidate but to dominate and change the psyche of the electorates to the fact that with police presence, they can come out and cast their votes.

“Also, the COVID-19 guidelines will be respected in this election. By and large, the tension has calmed down with the intervention of the Oba of Benin.

“The peace accord that was signed emphasised accountability and responsibility. If the gladiators at that level have signed and they know the implication of signing, they have to abide by the letters and spirit of that document.

“The content speaks about them being mature, respecting the rule of law and ensuring their supporters do not take the law into their hands. So, if at that level we have been able to tell them they will be held accountable and they endorsed their signature; there is a lot of responsibility on their soldiers and that will cascade down to the least person.

“We expect that all of these will bring out decency and discipline into the whole exercise,” he said.

On the welfare of the over 30,000 policemen deployed for the election, Oyebade said the IG, Mohammed Adamu provided all necessary welfare arrangements for them, adding that they were expected to give their best and be professional.

“The morale is high. The IGP made available all necessary welfare benefits and so, we expect that officers and men deployed for this assignment will be professional.

“We will be humane, courteous, respect the rule of law and human rights of electorates. We will protect electoral materials, INEC officials, observers and the press. In doing all of these, we are going to be firm.

“So, when decisions are going to be taken, we will fall back to the provisions of the Electoral Act. We will use the Act against anyone who breaches any provision. What we expect is for everyone to come and do the right thing.

“The message is clear: electorates should come out and cast their votes. If there are any challenges, they should reach us on 08154352118 on calls and if they see and record certain things, they should use their WhatsApp facility to forward to us on 08154350436. They can still use this number for SMS.

“We want them to see this as a partnership and understand that the community policing we have been talking about is already in practice. We should take this election as part of opportunity to contribute.

“There ought to be sacrifice and that is why we are appealing to people to respect the restriction between 11:59pm tonight and 6pm on Saturday. Collectively, we can have a credible, free, fair, inclusive election and acceptable result at the end of the day,” said Oyebade.

By Nicholas Kalu, Abuja

The Police Service Commission (PSC) has cautioned police officers deployed for the Edo governorship elections to operate within the law or face sanctions.

It said it has already deployed a high-powered monitoring team to Edo to monitor the conduct of policemen on electoral duties during this Saturday’s election.

According to a statement by the Head, Press and Public Relations of the Commission, Mr Ikechukwu Ani, the team is led by Bar. Rommy Mom, a Commissioner representing the Human Rights Organizations and Austin Braimoh, representing the Media.

The Commission has also released dedicated telephone numbers for complaints and commendation on the conduct of Police during the exercise, Ani said.

“The Commission wishes to advise that all Police Officers on electoral duty in Edo State must operate within the law and rules of engagement as any infractions on the laws/rules guiding election policing by any officer will be investigated and appropriate sanctions given.

“The Commission has however received assurances from the leadership of the Police charged with maintaining peace and order during the election in the state that every security arrangement has been put in place to ensure a hitch free and peaceful polls,” Ani said.

By Raymond Mordi, Bisi Olaniyi and Precious Igbonwelundu

In an apparent show of force, security agencies on Thursday patrolled the nooks and crannies of Edo State displaying the array of weapons and personnel deployed for the exercise.

A security convoy led by the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) in charge of security for the polls combed various parts of Edo South, stopping at intervals to assure the people of their safety

Our reporters observed several Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) carrying armed military and police operatives, armoured tanks, hilux vehicles and buses filled with security agents touring different parts of the metropolis, while road blocks are mounted in strategic areas with the police searching vehicles for possible exhibits.

Already, some of the 31,000 cops deployed for the election by the Inspector General of Police (IG) Mohammed Adamu have been deployed to the hinterland and riverine communities to prevent thugs from wreaking havoc.

It was gathered that a Commissioner of Police (CP) was deployed to each of the identified strongholds to coordinate security activities and report to the DIG while bulk of the security forces would man Oredo, Egor and Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Areas (LGAs), which are considered to have the highest number of voters.

Addressing the joint security patrols, DIG Oyebade said he was happy they received timely information and acted on same to prevent unpleasant situations.

Although he did not give further details about it, the DIG warned politicians having clandestine meetings to disrupt the electoral processes to desist or face the wrath of the law.

He said: “We have some information and were able to get it early. So, we will continue the show of force across all the senatorial districts.

“I am using this opportunity to sound note of warning to those of them holding clandestine meetings; all those that think they can do and undo to make this election a fallacy will not be allow.

“The reason behind this operation is that we must work together as a team because we are members of the same family. When you see yourself in the NSCDC, the navy, army, Airforce or police; we have a common goal.

“That common goal is to ensure a free, fair and credible election and to protect lives and properties of the electorates.

“The second reason is to send signal to the bad boys. That wherever they are, we will fish them out and we are ready.

“Also, we are telling the electorates they are safe. That they should feel free and come out on the day of the election.

“Most people sometimes do not read our intention clearly. Showing of force is not to intimidate members of the public, rather it is to reassure them we are ready to protect them and to respect the fundamental rights of the citizens before, during and after the election.”

Continuing, Oyebade urged the security agents to remain professional. He said they must be fair but tough, adding that they must ensure no loss of lives.

“We know that we must be professional. When you are doing your job, do it with all fairness. We do not want to lose anybody.

“We will be fair and at the same time tough. That is the message and I can assure you that the Inspector General of Police (IG) sent you to protect lives and properties.

“It is when you are alive that you can be responsible to protect lives and property. So, you go back and continue to do your work. We appreciate you and the synergy must continue. The Nigeria Police as the lead agency in election duties will always work in collaboration and with corporation of other security agencies so that together we can achieve the target,” he said.

Aside the show of force and road blocks, there were also heavy police presence at the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) temporary office along Sapele Road as well as the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) office in Benin where accreditation and distribution of electoral materials were going on respectively.

At the INEC office, observers who spoke to our reporters said they were satisfied with the processes thus far, adding that the INEC officials have been approachable and accessible.
An observer with CLEEN Foundation, Mrs. Blessing Emoron said they were hopeful the election would be peaceful.
She said the security agents have been trained to avoid indiscriminate use of firearms, adding that they have so far conducted themselves creditably.

“I have not really seen anything that I can term to be out of place. I think everything that they are doing is just to be prepared. As an observer, I have been well equipped to know what to do, when to do it and how to do it.

“My advice to every observer, when you are there observing, let’s know our roles, we are not security agents, let us not try to mediate in fight. We are not police. Let’s know our place and stay in our place.

“We are to observe the conduct of security personnel, observe the conduct of INEC personnel and even the voters. That’s what we are really to do. We are not supposed to be a judge, to stick your legs out, to do what is not your business to avoid being attacked.”