Lawrence Nwimo, Awka
Police Service Commission (PSC), a Federal regulatory body of the Nigeria Police, has said it will deploy spies that would monitor activities of Police officers on election duty in the forthcoming 2023 election.
A statement signed by the Police Head of Press and Public Relations, Ikechukwu Ani, said the body will deploy Staff Monitors to the 774 Council areas to monitor the conduct of the Officers on election duties holding Saturday, February 25th and March 11th 2023.”
According to the release, the success of the forthcoming elections depends largely on the conduct of the Police. A reason, the statement said, officers sent on election duty would be held accountable for actions and inactions.
“Police Officers found negligent or out-rightly involved in official misconduct would be disciplined in line with the provisions of the law.”
“The Commission has the Constitutional mandate to discipline, and exercise control over Officers of the Nigeria Police Force except the Inspector General of Police, amongst other constitutional responsibilities.
“The Commission will monitor the conduct of these Officers to ensure that they operate within defined rules of engagement prescribed for Officers on election duties.
“The Commission believes that the success or not of the 2023 general election largely depends on how effective and efficient the Police, the lead Agency in internal security are, and to maximise the benefits of inter-agency collaboration with sister security Agencies.”
It, however, advised Officers to restrict themselves to providing security during the elections and should not engage in serving as conductors for vote buying or other misconduct.
It said guidelines on Police conduct during the elections will be released in no distant time to properly guide policemen who will be involved in election security.
It also said it will release dedicated telephone numbers where Nigerians will be required to call to complain or commend Police Officers during the elections.
