Attack On INEC Facilities: IGP Steps In; As INEC Boss Urges Police To Bring Perpetrators To Book

By Akinwale Kasali

Following attacks on the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Facilities and Offices around the country, the Inspector General of Police, Usman Baba has directed Commissioners of Police in the State to tighten the security around INEC offices.

The IGP said it is necessary for the Police to give the electoral umpire maximum protection.

In a statement signed by Force Police Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, the Police boss also asked State Police Commissioners to intensify efforts to arrest the culprits involved in the attacks on the commission’s facilities nationwide.

Few days ago, Osun and Ogun States offices of INEC were attacked and set ablaze by criminals, during which thousands of Permanent Voters Cards awaiting collection and other materials were burnt.

It was gathered that in Ogun State, 65,699 PVCs, 904 ballot boxes, 29 voting cubicles, 30 megaphones, 57 election bags and eight electric power generators were destroyed while in Osun State, a portion of the Commission’s office was set ablaze. The Commission however said documents relating to the ongoing governorship election petitions Tribunal in Osun State were not destroyed in the attack.

Adejobi said. “The directive given by the Inspector General of Police, Usman Baba, to officers is that they must protect all INEC facilities. Hence, it is for the Commissioners of Police in the states to design how best they can protect INEC facilities within their Commands.

“The IGP cannot go to every State to get that done. This is non-negotiable, the IGP has given that leadership platform, directive, and the strategic clues for them to deploy, so we expect every Commissioner of Police to fortify INEC facilities in their areas of responsibility.”

Prior to this, INEC Chairman’s order, Professor Mahmood Yakubu had charged the Police, during an emergency meeting, that the attacks on the Commission’s facilities would not stop the 2023 elections from holding as scheduled, noting that a peaceful campaign was critical to a peaceful election.

He demanded the arrest and prosecution of the perpetrators, warning that if nothing urgent was done and decisive steps taken, the attacks would intensify as the elections approach.

He stated, “Nigerians expect decisive action from ICCES. It is important that we move swiftly to apprehend perpetrators, prosecute them as required by law and reinforce security around election officials and electoral infrastructure around the country.

“As we have stated on several occasions, election is a multi-stakeholder activity involving not just INEC and the security agencies. The political class plays perhaps the most critical role in ensuring peaceful elections. We must all rise to the occasion. Nigerians are watching us. The world is watching us. We must never disappoint them.

“The Commission wishes to reassure Nigerians that we remain committed to delivering credible elections in spite of the challenges. The attempt to sabotage or weaken our resolve will not deter us from conducting transparent elections in which only the votes cast by Nigerians on Election Day will determine winners of elections.”