The Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun, has warned the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Eastern Security Network (ESN) and other non state actors to stay away from Anambra state as the Police was determined to protect lives and property during conduct of Saturday election in the south east state.
Egbetokun who was represented by Deputy Inspector General of Police, Ben Okoro, gave the warning during the signing of the National Peace Accord by political parties and their candidates at International Conference Centre, ICC, Awka, the state capital, ahead of the election.
He maintained that any sinister move capable of disrupting the exercise will be matched with decisive force.
He said: ‘Any attempt by IPOB, ESN or any other non-state actor to interfere with the forthcoming election shall invite an immediate, coordinated and overwhelming law enforcement response.
‘Precision targeted intelligence operations are already active to identify, isolate and dismantle any network or individual floating acts of intimidation, of violence the Nigerian state will respond firmly, lawfully and conclusively. The peace of Anambra State shall not be negotiated.
‘Furthermore, any person or group found bearing arms, brandishing instruments of intimidation, or performing unauthorized security duties outside recognised federal agencies shall be treated as an armed non state actor.
‘Such persons shall be swiftly neutralised, arrested and prosecuted under the Firearms Act, the Criminal Code and the terrorism prevention and Prohibition Act 2022 this remains an operational red line that will be enforced without hesitation.
‘The Nigerian police force has activated the zero tolerance enforcement protocol to ensure total compliance with the Electoral Act and related laws.
‘Electoral offenses will be treated as criminal violations of national security, not mere political misconduct. Offenses such as ballot snatching, vote buying or voter intimidation, are felonies under the Electoral Act 2022.
‘Officers are under strict instruction to effect immediate arrest based on first evidence and to ensure diligent prosecution through the electoral offenses desk already activated across the state.
‘The objective is simple, to deter misconduct through swift and exemplary enforcement.
‘In addition, specialized cyber crime units are deployed to monitor, trace and counter a digital misinformation, fake news and coordinated online propaganda aimed at destructing public peace or discrediting the process.
‘The following Election Day protocols are binding and enforceable under federal law. VIP movement: No political appointee, candidate of VIP is permitted to move with armed escorts or security aids to polling or coalition centers.
‘Personnel mobility: Only accredited INEC officials, election observers and journalists may move freely between designated areas.
‘Party agents and security personnel must remain within their signed jurisdictions.
‘Prohibited conduct: Campaigning, partisan display or any act capable of causing provocation within the vicinity of polling units is prohibited.
‘Possession of any weapon or instrument of intimidation will attract immediate arrest to all political parties, candidates and campaign managers, the responsibility for peace rests heavily upon you.
‘The Nigerian police force will hold political leadership directly, directly accountable for the conduct of their supporters.’
The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) Professor Joash Amupitan restated his commitment to free, fair and credible election.
He assured that the Anambra state Governorship election under his supervision would be flawless and credible.
Speaking at the signing of the peace accord, Chairman of National Peace Committee, General Abdulasalami Abubakar (rtd) who was represented by General Martin Luther Agwai (rtd) said National Peace Committee is a mediation channel and conciliation in the case of post electoral disputes and enjoined the candidates to embrace the election outcome.