Ugo Nosiri, Owerri
The Commissioner of Police in Imo State, CP Mohammed Ahmed Barde, has assured residents of maximum safety and security during and after the upcoming gubernatorial election.
CP Barde made this known during the flag-off of a two-day intense training workshop organised for Election Security Officers in the state.
He explained that training on Election Security Management aims at equipping officers that will be deployed in the upcoming gubernatorial election with the requisite knowledge and Standards Operational Procedure (SOP) needed for effective delivery of police service before, during and after the election.
The Commissioner of Police admonished the officers to adhere strictly to the tenets of the Electoral Act as amended and charged them to maintain the highest standards of professionalism and neutrality while discharging their lawful duties.
The CP assured Imolites of the Command’s unalloyed commitment to collaborating with other sister security agencies, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and the relevant stakeholders in the state, in conducting a peaceful, credible, transparent and acceptable election.
He called on politicians of the various political parties in the state to adopt the spirit of sportsmanship and play by the rules by avoiding the use of hate speech, abusive language, or inciting statements that are likely to stir up violence or heat the Polity.
He therefore urged residents of the state to turn out en masse and vote for the candidate of their choice without any fear of intimidation or molestation.