The inspector-general of police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun has ordered the redeployment of the commissioner of police in Imo State, Muhammad Barde.
This is coming one week to the November 11, 2023 off-season governorship polls in Imo, Bayelsa and Kogi States.
Speaking on Sunday on Channels Television’s Peoples’ 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.”
Recall that there had been widespread outrage by the organised labour including the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress accusing the CP of complicity in the recent attack on NLC President, Joe Ajaero, in Owerri, the Imo State capital, last week.
The organised labour had also handed the federal government a five-day ultimatum to replace the police commissioner, while also blaming Governor Hope Uzodimma who is seeking re-election of the attack on Ajaero though the governor had since said he had no hand in the attack on the labour leader.
The IGP also said the police have taken care of all the threats in the three states.
The IGP also 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.
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