Ahead of the general election, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari GCFR, commissioned a wide assortment of Operational assets which was acquired by the Nigeria Police Force.
Mr. President was received by the Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba at the Nigeria Police Force Headquarters, Abuja on Monday, 13th February 2023.
The commissioning of the wide assortment of operational assets acquired by the NPF is to improve strategic and tactical operational deployments, particularly in light of the upcoming 2023 General Elections.
The equipment purchased includes operational vehicles, crowd control and anti-riot gadgets, and high-capacity desktop and laptop computers were acquired to ensure proper enforcement of electoral laws and a seamless electioneering process and stabilize the public space before, during, and after the general elections and to enhance the capacity of the NPF to manage civil disorder in line with acceptable national legal framework and global law enforcement protocols.
Buhari commended the efforts of the Inspector General of Police in advancing the commitment of his administration to a reformed, modernized, fully equipped, highly motivated, and citizen-focused Police Force that is re-oriented to the virtues of professionalism, respect for the rule of law, due process, operational efficiency and best international practices in policing the nation.
Usman Alkali tasked the Strategic Police Managers to safeguard the public space ahead of the elections in active synergy with other sister security agencies. While charging them to make certain that quasi-security outfits created and owned by state governments are precluded from election duty.
The IGP further stressed that national security interest overrides personal interest and as such, in line with the directives of Mr. President, the election shall be policed civilly with full compliance with the rule of law.
Alkali warned all the police officers and men to remain apolitical in ensuring free, fair, and credible elections.