Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
Commissioner of Police Abia State, Mustapha Bala, has threatened to make the state uncomfortable for anyone plotting to cause breach of public peace in the forthcoming polls in the state.
The CP who read the riot act during a press briefing in Umuahia on Tuesday, said that the Command and other security agencies had prepared to ensure that the forthcoming elections are hitch free in Abia.
CP Bala also at the briefing, disclosed that six officers from the Command were among those newly promoted from Superintendent of Police to Chief Superintendent of Police by the Inspector General of Police.
He also distributed N11, 795, 888.30 to the families of officers and men of the command who died in active service.
The CP who explained that the largesse came under the “Group Life Assurance Benefits and IGP Family Welfare Insurance Scheme,” enjoined the beneficiaries to utilise the funds properly.
He charged the newly promoted officers to double their efforts and commitment to duty.
On the level of preparedness of the Police for the forthcoming polls, the CP said water-tight security arrangements had been made to checkmate activities of trouble makers during the elections.
He warned parents and guardians not to allow their children or wards get involved in any illegality that could jeopardise the polls as the full weight of the law shall be brought to bear on election offenders.
The CP also said that adequate arrangement had been made to safeguard both sensitive and non-sensitive electoral materials, as well as lives of the electoral officials.
The CP assured voters of their maximum security, urging them to troop out en masse to vote for candidates of their choice without fear.
Bala called on candidates and political parties to play according to the rules of the game.
“I wish to use this medium to admonish all Candidates of Abia origin, Political parties agents and other party faithful to play according to the specific rules.
“The Security operatives will not hesitate in bringing to order any person or group of persons irrespective of societal position wanting to truncate the relative peace hitherto enjoyed by all Abians.”
Speaking with our Correspondent, one of the newly promoted officers, Sup. Emmanuel Ukanwoke, said he was elated for his new rank, and gave God thanks.
Ukanwoke who also thanked the IGP and the Police Service Commission, said he had been spurred to continue to put in his best in the service.
