Ahead of 2023 general elections, the Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba has charged officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force to be apolitical and display high sense of professionalism in providing adequate security to Nigerians during the forthcoming elections.
IGP Alkali Baba gave the charge on Monday at Kogi State Police Command Lokoja while addressing officers and men of the force.
The Inspector General of Police who stated that he was in Kogi state to pay a visit to the command and to commission two projects and lay foundation of another project in Kabba, said the forthcoming elections is sacrosanct to the force, noting that Nigerians were watching with keen interest on how best the Police force will provide adequate security for peaceful conduct of the elections.
He therefore urged officers and men of the force to display high level of neutrality in creating a level playing ground for all political parties during campaigns and the elections.
“We are in the period of electioneering campaign, policemen should be apolitical and should not take side. You should not allow politicians to use you against a perceive enemies.
“Our mandate is to ensure that campaigns and elections are conducted under a conducive atmosphere and any thing short of that means we have deviated from our core mandate and we are not ready to tarnish our reputation.
“I am therefore urging you not to throw away professionalism for mundane things that will rubbish the sacrifices and effort you have put in the force” the IGP warned.
He also charged the Kogi State Police Command to synergize and cooperate with other security agencies for effective and efficient discharge of their statutory responsibilities, the IGP , assured that the welfare of the policemen is topmost in his priority as the head of the organization.
Earlier, the Commissioner of Police Kogi State Command , CP Akeem Yusuf disclosed that the command is facing inadequate communication devices and shortage of manpower and appealed to the IGP to assist before the elections.
