BARELY five days to the 11 November 2023 off-season governorship polls in Imo, Bayelsa and Kogi states, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has announced the redeployment of the Commissioner of Police in Imo State, Mohammed Barde “for neutrality sake’
Speaking Sunday night during Channels Television’s People’s Townhall on Election Security, the IGP said “I am aware that there have been allegations on social media against the Commissioner of Police in Imo State but for this election, we are changing the Commissioner of Police in Imo,”
Members of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress had given the government a five-day ultimatum to redeploy the CP from the state, among other demands, following his alleged complicity in last week’s attack on NLC President, Joe Ajaero, in Owerri, the Imo State capital.
They also cited Governor Hope Uzodimma as having a hand in the attack, although the governor has denied any involvement in the attack. Governor Uzodimma is seeking re-election in next Saturday’s election on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Meanwhile, the IGP has also said the police have taken care of all the threats in the three states. According to him, mopping up of arms will be periodical, before, during and after the polls.
IGP Egbetokun said the police will respond appropriately to vote-buying and all electoral offences with respect to the provisions of the electoral laws. Anybody found engaging in vote-buying will be prosecuted appropriately, he said, adding that the allowances of policemen will be paid as and when due.
The Force statement later issued a statement saying that Barde has been redeployed.
Eighteen-Eleven Media