Police and other Security agencies in Plateau State have deployed over 10,500 Personnel to ensure a hitch free Governorship and State Assembly elections across the 4,989 Polling Units of the State.
This was made known by the commissioner of Police deployed to Plateau for the 2023 general elections, CP Dauda Mamman during a press briefing at Plateau State Police Command headquarters, Jos, on Friday.
He said the personnel comprises of the Nigeria Police, Military, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corp, Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigeria Correctional Service, Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency and Federal Fire Service.
While calling for peaceful conduct, the CP warn that the gallant personnel are ready to deal with anyone that would truncate the process of the election, no matter how highly placed is the person.
He said in a bid to enhance the operational capacity of the Command to provide adequate security throughout the Governorship election and beyond, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, had approved and allocated Personnel Protective Gadgets and Anti-riot equipment to the Command.
“I will like to use this medium to warn all Political actors to warn their members/followers to desist from any act that is capable of inciting the general public to cause violence in any part of the state, as the Command will do anything within the ambit of law to stop their activities from coming to fruition.
“I also use this opportunity to warn all religious leaders, most especially our Pastors and Imams to desist from making inciting statements to their congregants that is capable of disrupting the peace currently enjoyed by the good people of Plateau State.
They should be informed that measures have already been put in place by the command to ensure that their activities will be curtailed before, during and after the electioneering period.
“To our Traditional Rulers, Parents/Guardians, I urge you to speak with your subjects, Children and wards to avoid any form of utterance or behavior that has a tendency of causing a bridge of the peace.
I warn you to ensure that your followers and wards are well behaved throughout the electioneering period and stay away from any form of thuggery as the Plateau State Police Command under my watch, will not condone any form of misconduct.” The CP warned.
CP Mamman said the military will cordon the entire state, in compliance with the restriction of movement on Election Day and they will also be seen strategically within the towns to enhance security of lives and property.
He also announced restriction of all forms of vehicular movements on roads, waterways and other forms of transportation between the hours of 12am Friday 17/03/2023 to 06pm Saturday 18/03/2023.