The Nigeria Police has issued a stern warning to anyone planning to disrupt the Governorship and House of Assembly elections in Abia on Saturday, stating that they will be dealt with according to the law.
Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Mr. John Amadi, in charge of the South-East, made the announcement while addressing officers of the state command at the Police Officers’ Mess in Umuahia on Thursday.
He emphasized that the police are present to safeguard the system and anyone attempting to cause trouble or engage in thuggery will be held accountable.
According to the DIG, the police have deployed their personnel to areas where trouble is expected to arise, and they will not tolerate any actions that would prevent people from casting their votes.
Amadi urged the electorate in Abia to disregard any threats to disrupt the elections, as they will take place without any incidents.
He also assured visitors to the state, including election monitors and observers, of their safety and stated that the police are non-partisan and committed to their primary responsibility of protecting lives and property.
In his words; “We have assured Nigerians and the South-East that nobody should entertain any fears. The police are there to protect the system.
“Anybody that wants to put himself into problem or involve in thuggery would have himself to blame.
“Anybody that wants to snatch ballot boxes or disrupt the elections will be promptly dealt with.
“We have deployed our men to dominate all the areas that we think that trouble would erupt from.
“So we are sounding a note of warning to criminals and non-state agents that we would not tolerate anything that would not allow the people cast their vote and chose who they want to represent them.
“Anybody that wants to disrupt the system should be ready to die and anybody that wants to die should come out and disrupt the system.
“If you love your life keep away, cast your vote, go home and wait for the result.”
He continued, “On behalf of the Inspector-General of Police and the management team, I assure you that there would not be any infractions. I can assure you that we are ready.”
“We belong to Nigerians and this is the time to make everybody know that our primary responsibility is to protect lives and property.
“We also assure you that INEC officials and materials must be adequately protected.”
