The Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba, has asked officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force to be apolitical before, during, and after the next general elections.
The IG issued the warning during a visit to the Kogi State Police Command headquarters in Lokoja on Monday.
He said, “Let me sound a note of warning to you all: be apolitical before, during, and after the forthcoming election. You must not allow yourselves to be used because they will dump you after the elections.”
“You have a duty and responsibility to uphold the constitution and to protect the lives and property of citizens; you cannot afford to fail in carrying out these tasks.”
The IG promised to look into the challenges facing the cops, especially the rank and file, with a view to providing an enabling environment that would bring out the best in them.
Meanwhile, the Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, has vowed not to allow politicians drive the state back to the era of crime and criminality.
The governor was speaking on Monday while playing host to the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba, who visited him in his Lugard House Office, Lokoja.
He said, “We are in possession of credible intelligence reports that some political elements are out to foment trouble during and after the general elections; this administration will not allow insecurity to be smuggled into Kogi through the boot of politics.”
Earlier, Baba had described Bello as a dogged crime fighter who had made the state unsafe for criminals.
“I’ve never heard him crying that he doesn’t have control of security in his state. That is because he is able to synergise and cooperate with all the security agencies as well as lead from the front. Security is everybody’s business. When you have a leader who is leading from the front, others will follow. That is what is happening in Kogi,” the IG said.
