Head of the Nigeria Police Force, Mohammed Adamu, has called for support from civil society organisations (CSOs) as the police gear up for the governorship elections in Edo and Ondo States.

The Inspector General of Police (IGP) made the call during a one-day interactive session with conveners and representatives of a group of CSOs in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, according to a statement issued by the police.

Development Diaries understands that an Election Security Threat Assessment Report by the Nigerian police indicated ‘the likelihood of violence and possible cross attack by political opponents’ during the polls.

The aforementioned statement also noted that the police boss assured the CSOs of adequate security and enjoined them to assist the police in identifying impostors who may want to hide under the umbrella of accredited CSOs to foment trouble during the elections.

Additionally, the IGP, according to the statement, assured the CSOs that the force will be neutral, apolitical and will provide a level playing ground for all in the elections.

‘The CSOs, on their part, pledged support for the police and other agencies involved in election security management in the country’, spokesman for the police Frank Mba said in the statement.

‘They commended the IGP for the existing cordial relationship between the police and the CSOs and also for his quick responses to issues bordering on human rights abuses, sexual and gender based violence etc’.

‘They particularly commended the police for the prompt arrest of suspects involved in the gruesome rape and murder of Miss Vera Uwaila in Edo State. They however called for transparency and impartiality by security agencies in the elections’.

The Edo and Ondo governorship elections are scheduled to hold on 19 September, 2020, and 10 October, 2020, respectively.

Source: Nigeria Police Force

Photo source: Nigeria Police Force