The police on Friday alerted the public
to an intelligence report that some people were trying to smuggle arms
and thugs into Kogi State ahead of the governorship election to hold
today.
The Deputy Inspector-General
of Police, in charge of Operations, Mr. Sotonye Wakama, who disclosed
this, said for that reason, travellers going into the state should
expect to be searched thoroughly.
Wakama also announced restriction of movements in the state from 6.30am on Saturday till after the election.
He advised travellers who planned to pass through the state to take alternative routes.
Kogi
State is a major link between the Northern and Southern parts of the
country with Abuja/Lokoja Road recording heavy traffic daily.
The
AIG stated that the directive was to ensure violence-free election and
aide security agencies, as well as other accredited personnel involved
in the conduct of the election to do their jobs unhindered.
He also warned the public that there would be thorough screening of people.
He
said, “If you know you are going to travel and pass through Kogi for
any reason, I will suggest that you postpone or delay that trip, if you
can. Or perhaps, you can take a more circuitous route and go round Kogi
rather than through Kogi. Or if you can, you can take a flight.
“There
are two basic reasons for this. First. if you are coming through Kogi
and you are going to other states for business, it is certain that you
will be stopped and screened because we have intelligence that some
people are trying to move in arms and thugs.
“So
we will screen everybody thoroughly. This will amount to inconvenience
to some of those legitimate road users. If they can avoid it, they can
pass around Kogi.
“The second reason
is that, it will prove to be a distraction to the police and other law
enforcement agencies from our duties on election day and we do not want
to be distracted.”
Wakawa said, “The IGP has asked me to be here to supervise the election.
“As
far as the police and other sister agencies assisting us are concerned,
our duty is to protect lives and property and this extends to the lives
of the personnel of the Independent National Electoral Commission and
their materials. It includes the voters, and by extension, the
inhabitants of Kogi State.
“There
will be restriction of movement on Saturday from 6.30am until after the
election. The restriction of vehicular movement is to enable operational
staff of the INEC and law enforcement agents to go about their
businesses unhindered, and for registered voters to go to polling booths
and cast their votes without any hindrance.”
He
described the restriction of movement as important while noting that
there would be inconveniences as Kogi is a hub of travellers in the
country.
Meanwhile, there was tension
in major towns of Kogi State on Friday as the Independent National
Electoral Commission concluded arrangements for today’s governorship
election in the state.
Saturday PUNCH’s correspondents
observed that the tension was heightened by fear of likely violence
among residents as well as accusations and counter-accusations by
supporters of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party and the opposition All
Progressives Congress.
The
governorship election did not hold in the state in the last general
elections because the incumbent governor is yet to complete his
four-year term in office.
As early as
8am, residents of Lokoja, the state capital, stormed Felele, Kabwa,
Lokongoma and Kanaja markets to buy foodstuffs and other consumable
items.
The state government had declared Friday as a work-free day as part of preparations for the election.
There
was fear among residents that the election could be marred by violence
following reports of “importation of small arms into the state.”
A resident of Lokoja, Idris Abdulsalam, who spoke with Saturday PUNCH,
said, “There have been reports that some people are bringing arms into
the state, but we have been assured by the security agencies that the
election will be peaceful.”
Armed policemen were seen patrolling major towns, including Lokoja, Ankpa, Kabba, Okene and Idah.
Title : Kogi election: Police Uncover Plans To Import Thugs, Arms Weapons
Description : The police on Friday alerted the public to an intelligence report that some people were trying to smuggle arms and thugs into Kogi State...
Description : The police on Friday alerted the public to an intelligence report that some people were trying to smuggle arms and thugs into Kogi State...
