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Police officers caught colluding with politicians during the course of the Osun State governorship election coming up on September 22, 2018 will be jailed, Inspector General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris, has warned.
The police boss gave the warning in Osogbo at a one-day seminar held for stakeholders in the election, stressing that officers found wanting during the polls would be disciplined according to the Electoral Act.
He revealed that police officers who colluded with politicians in the last House of Assembly rerun election in Rivers State were still in court to answer for their action.
He said: “In Rivers we still have some cases in court against some of our officers who were charged over their actions in the election. I can’t remember how many they are but they are in court. They were charged to court for misconduct. The trial is ongoing.”
According to him, “political thugs and hoodlums stormed polling stations, shot sporadically and snatched ballot boxes as a result of which the bye-election was suspended.”
IGP Idris also warned politicians in the state to desist from arming thugs for the election, saying the full weight of fhe law will be brought against them.
He also advised them against hate speeches, the use of sirens on election day, canvassing for votes at polling stations and disrespecting police officers in duty.
The IGP advised the politicians to rein on their supporters to avoid formenting trouble, warning that troublemakers will regret their actions.