The Nasarawa State Police Command has raised the alarm over alleged moves by some politicians in the state to hijack Saturday’s governorship election.
A statement issued and made available to DAILY POST on Friday by the command’s spokesperson, Ramhan Nansel, accused politicians of importing thugs into some local government areas of the state in a bid to truncate the governorship and state assembly polls.
The Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, named the local governments to include, Nasarawa Eggon, Akwanga, Toto and Kokona.
The command warned residents and politicians in the state to eschew such move, stressing that officers of the command are ready to deal ruthlessly with any unscrupulous person trying to disrupt the poll.
The statement reads, “It has come to the knowledge of the Nasarawa State Police Command that some desperate group of politicians, in their bid to truncate the electoral process in the State, have resorted to importing political thugs into some Local governments such as Nasarawa Eggon, Akwanga, Toto and Kokona.
“In view of the forgoing, the Command is using this medium to warn all politicians who are nursing the idea of disrupting the electoral process or contravene the Electoral Act, 2022, to stay away from such and allow the electoral process to be carried out under peaceful atmosphere.
“The Command will use all necessary forces/do everything within its operational guidelines in synergy with all security agencies in the State to deal ruthlessly or subdue any act, that is capable of rupturing the polls come March 18, 2023.
“Furthermore, members of the public and all political parties are to note that there will be restriction of movement from 12 mid-night of March 17, 2023 to 6:00pm of March 18, 2023.
“Take note also, that accredited observers, journalists, security agents and one accredited political party agent each from all registered political parties would be allowed entrance in all collation centres across the State.
“The Commissioner of Police, CP Maiyaki Baba, has called on members of the public to go out en masse and vote for candidates of their choice without fear while assuring them of maximum security.
“Parents are advised to warn their wards to stay away from any contemplated illegality; anyone found wanting no matter how highly placed in the society shall be arrested and made to face the full wrath of the law”.
