30th March, 2011
Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Yakubu Alkali, yesterday read the riot act to Area Commanders and Divisional Police Officers in the state ahead of the forthcoming general elections.
Sources told P.M.NEWS that Alkali, who arrived Lagos after being summoned by Hafiz Ringim, the Inspector General of Police yesterday, told ACPs and DPOs to either ensure that their divisions and areas of jurisdictions are free from violence, thuggery or blood bath during the election or be prepared to be re-deployed immediately.
According to our sources, the IGP has ordered all state police commissioners to work round the clock throughout the period of the lection and ensure that there is no violence in their domains.
“Rigim is prepared to re-deploy the commissioners ahead of the April elections,†a source said.
It was the riot act from the IGP that compelled the Lagos Police boss to summon all the ACPs and DPOs to a secret meeting yesterday.
“Lagos is regarded as a strategic state, considering the fact that the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, is desperately trying to unseat governor Babatunde Fashola of the Action Congress of Nigeria, AC N who is seeking to be re-elected for the second term.
Therefore, the CP is determined to ensure that there is no outbreak of violence and thuggery during the election†a senior Police Officers aid.
Samuel Jinadu, Lagos State Police spokesman, confirmed the meeting of Alkali with the ACPs and DPOs, but refused to speak on the agenda of the meeting.