7th March, 2019
The Police Command in Ebonyi says it has dedicated special patrol teams to arrest any fake security personnel, election observers and journalists during the March 9 gubernatorial polls.
The Commissioner of Police (CP) in the state, Awosola Awotinde, disclosed this on Thursday in Abakaliki while addressing newsmen.
The commissioner said that the command was fully prepared for the gubernatorial polls in the state.
Awotinde revealed that the command had arrested suspects with fake security agencies’ uniforms and stickers during the presidential and national assembly polls adding that the case is been investigated.
“We have dedicated patrol teams that would rove the state to arrest fake security personnel, election observers and even journalists.
“The electorate should come out en masse to vote on March 9, because we will provide adequate security to protect them before, during and after the elections,” he said.
The CP also said that the command had identified some flashpoints that were problematic during the Presidential and National Assembly polls.
“We will not mention the affected places numbering about four but we expect problems from those areas during the gubernatorial polls.
“The gubernatorial and house of assembly polls are localised with varying interests but we will take care of such places adequately.
“I have released dedicated telephone numbers to the public to call the police and other security agencies in cases of disturbances or breaches to public peace.
“I thereby warn trouble makers to relocate from the state before Saturday because we would adequately deal with them as we are already doing,” he said.
The CP also said that the command would also provide adequate security to National Youth Service Corps members involved in electoral duties to ensure their safety.
“We have an inter security agencies committee which the NYSC state director is a member and she provides updates on issues concerning the corps members.
“The NYSC members are youngsters and will easily raise alarm if there is no electricity in the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) offices for instance.
“They also raise alarm if their drivers fail to turn up on time and afraid of attack when things don’t work as they want.
“We did not record serious cases of assault on corps members in the state but we assure them and other members of the society of adequate security,” he said.