Ahead of elections polls, Bauchi Police command says it has placed a ban on VIP aides and escorts across the state.
This was contained in a press release signed by the command’s spokesperson, Ahmed Mohammed Wakil.
According to the police, the move comes in a bid to ensure adequate security measures and ensure peaceful elections across the 20 local government areas in the state.
The statement read in part: “The Bauchi State Police Command wishes to assure the good people of Bauchi State that, it has put in place adequate security measures and provide a level playing ground for all political parties for the peaceful conduct of the forthcoming General Election scheduled to take place on Saturday 25/02/2023 across the twenty (20) L.G.As, covering two hundred and Twelve (212) wards, with a total of Four Thousand and Seventy-Four (4,074) polling units spreading over Bauchi State.
“In synergy with other sister security agencies, the Command has emplaced adequate security measures to ensure a safe, secure, and conducive environment for the conduct of the 2023 General Election which is aimed at ensuring public order management, the safety of electorates as well as assisting the security agencies on effective policing, thereby preventing hoodlums and criminally-minded elements from disrupting the electoral process in the State.
“In line with Electoral Act 2022, the Commissioner of Police Bauchi State Command CP Aminu Alhassan psc (+) has ordered the following measures to be put in place to ensure a peaceful election in the State.”
The statement also clarified that only statutory security agencies acknowledged by the law will be allowed to render their services for the election exercise.
It added: “It is only the statutory security agencies recognized by law that will be allowed to provide security for the election, therefore all quasi-outfits owned by the State Government such as; Vigilante Groups, Hunters, Danga Security, Ansaru Security, Neighborhood watch, and others are hereby barred from participating in the conduct of the General Election under the Electoral Act 2022. Anyone found floating the Electoral laws or going about with arms is liable to be apprehended and prosecuted accordingly.
“There will be total restrictions on unauthorized vehicular movement on the election day on roads, waterways, and other forms of transportation between midnight of Friday 24th February 2023 to 6:00 pm Saturday 25th February 2023, on the Election Day except those on essential services, such as INEC staffs, ambulance, firefighter recognized election observers, etc. who must carry their valid identification card for identification for free passage.
“Important personalities and politicians (VIPs) are barred from going to any polling unit with their security details or orderlies. They are also warned to desist from moving from one polling unit to another on Election Day, Unauthorized use of sirens, revolving light, covered plate numbers, and tinted glasses is still in force and violators will be sanctioned appropriately.”
Furthermore, the state command called on the citizens of Bauchi state to be law-abiding and adhere to good conduct during the exercise.
“Similarly, the CP sternly warns all security aides and escorts to desist from accompanying their principals and politicians to polling booths and collation centers during the election as anyone found flouting this directive will be severely sanctioned. He emphasizes that only security personnel specifically assigned to election duties are to be seen within and around the designated election booths and centers.
“While empathizing with well-meaning citizens on the inconveniences the orders may cause, the CP urges all active electorates to be law-abiding and turn out to exercise their franchise without any fear and/or intimidation from any person. He however warns that the Command will deal decisively with any individual(s) or group(s) that might want to test our common resolve and might to ensure a peaceful election.
“The CP, therefore, enjoins all citizens to shun vote buying, vote selling, hate speech, misinformation, disinformation, and other criminal act(s) as the Force and other security agencies will leave no stone unturned in ensuring that all violators of extant laws, most especially the Electoral Act 2022 (as amended), are brought to book.
“Finally, the Commissioner of Police CP Aminu Alhassan psc(+) urged parents, traditional rulers, religious leaders, opinion leaders, and guardians to prevail on their wards and subjects not to allow themselves to be used as cannon-fodders in disturbance of public peace before, during, and after the election, as the Command unequivocally warns all criminal element in the state and their allies who may be nursing an agenda that is inimical to the safety and security of the state, to desist from such act as the Police and other sister security agencies in the state will not relent in mobilizing all resources at their disposal to confront and neutralize the violators in line with the extent laws.
“The Command, therefore, urges members of the public to contact the Nigeria Police Force, the joint Election Monitoring group and Operations control Room domiciled at State Headquarters, Yandoka Road Bauchi via the ‘NPF Rescue Me App’ available on Android and IOS, or via the Npf Rescue Me Emergency Toll-free line on *08031230631, 08151849417 or 09053872273* to report suspicious persons, activities or request security responses.”
