Usman Baba-Alkali, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), has encouraged political parties and candidates to allow the police to control their campaigns for the general elections in 2023.
In a conversation with newsmen on Sunday in Maiduguri, Baba-Alkali made the call.
According to Baba-Alkali, the move was taken to prevent any potential collapse of law and order.
“I want to beg the politicians and political parties to give us the opportunity to regulate their processions, rallies and campaigns so that they don’t have clash.
“The Commissioner of Police is not saying you must apply for permit before you campaign or rally but for him to know so that he can provide security for the venue of campaign or to tell you if another party is also campaigning, for you to adjust to another date.
“It’s a matter of regulating for the benefit of all, to avoid things getting out of control,” the IGP said.
The IGP stated that while the force was committed to guaranteeing election security, the employment of phony security agents by any candidate or party would not be accepted.
He emphasized the need of community policing once more, noting that the 10,000 police officers the force had earlier hired had been dispersed to their various LGAs to improve community policing.
“Right now we have another 10,000 recruits undergoing training that we hope to graduate before the election,” Baba-Alkali said.
In Borno, the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) played a crucial role in exposing rebels in local areas to the police. He emphasized this function in relation to community policing.
Baba-Alkali is in Borno for a two-day working visit where he inaugurated some police projects in Beneshiek and Maiduguri.
