1st April, 2011
Ahead of the polls, the Nigeria Police Anti-Bomb Unit, on Thursday in Lagos urged the political class to tolerate opposition and play politics according to the rules of the game.
The police also warned troublemakers to steer clear of the polls, as the security forces were combat –ready to deal with threats to peace.
The Commissioner in charge of the unit, Mr. Ambrose Aisabor told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the appeal became imperative to ensure violence-free polls.
He said the inability of politicians to tolerate opposition was one of the causes of violence across the country.
“Politics is not a do-or-die affair. Politics should be played according to the rules and regulations guiding such activities. Politicians should always learn how to tolerate oppositions.
“There can never be good politics when the opposition is being muzzled. So there should be healthy competition,†Aisabor said.
Aisabor also read the riot act to troublemakers, saying the “the law enforcement agents in the country are prepared for this elections. From my department, we are prepared to do our best to ensure that incidents of bomb blasts do not happen again.â€
On the measures being taken to secure INEC offices and collation centers across the country, the anti-bomb police boss said these would be adequately secured against any threat of bombings.
Aisabor said: “Adequate arrangements have been made to cover these vital areas in respect of the 2011 general elections. Yesterday I held a meeting with my officers all over the country to evaluate our strategy to see how we have prepared for the elections.
“Though it will not be possible for us be present in all polling stations all over the country, but we have devised a means of monitoring what is happening in all polling stations.â€
The police commissioner also advised members of the public to use these emergency lines – 08126373634, 08126373635, 08081762130, 08123405406 and 08126373636 – to report suspicious movements, abandoned vehicles and strange objects.