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The Osun state Police Command on Tuesday, called on residents of the state, especially political elites to avoid acts capable of destabilising the peace of the state during the forthcoming rescheduled Presidential and National Assembly elections.
The command stated this in a statement released in Osogbo and signed by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Superintendent of Police, Folasade Odoro.
The warning comes after suspected political thugs attacked Iwara and Igangan towns in Atakumosa East Local Government on Sunday, February 17, destroying properties worth millions of naira. In the attack, about five houses were burnt down in Igangan while in neighbouring Iwara, a car belonging to an indigene identified simply as Folorunsho Aderibigbe, was burnt by the arsonists.
An 11-year-old girl identified as Rukayat Balogun was also shot in the leg on February 14, in Iwara.
The command said it was restrategising to ensure adequate provision of security to make the polls peaceful and credible.
Odoro said, “This becomes expedient for the command in view of preparations toward ensuring the credibility of the polls and the stringent security architecture mapped out by the command.
”The command has also continued its statutory sensitisations and lectures for its officers and men, with a charge to be extremely apolitical and ensure total avoidance of high-handedness in treating electorate.”
The PPRO promised that the command will ensure fairness and respect the fundamental human rights of the people.
“Consequently, officers and men of the command are now well-informed and conversant with their duties to the members of general public, most importantly during the momentum of the elections.
“Therefore with the appropriate mechanism already in place, the command is using this medium to appeal to the general public to stay clear of hooliganism\thuggery, gangsterism or breach of electoral act,” she said.