Off-cycle polls: IGP Egbetokun calls for probes into electoral offences, praises security operatives

The Inspector General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun, has demanded an immediate investigation into cases of misconduct during the off-season elections held in Imo, Kogi, and Bayelsa States on Saturday.

The police boss, in the same vein, praised all police officers and operatives of other security agencies for providing adequate support to the Nigeria Police Force in ensuring security for the conduct of elections.

He pointed out that the security operatives’ devotion and diligence in policing the electoral process were extremely productive and impressive.

The Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said this in a statement on Tuesday.

Adejobi said, “The IGP emphasises that the electoral process in the three states transpired seamlessly, defying earlier threat assessments and projected challenges from various quarters. He acknowledges the exceptional efforts of the security personnel in maintaining law and order, safeguarding the electoral process, and ensuring the safety of citizens.

“In another development, however, the IGP notes the pockets of incidences that were recorded during the elections and charges the Electoral Offences Desk Officers, under the supervision of the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department, to commence immediate investigations into these incidences.

“The IGP expresses gratitude to all security agencies involved in the election security management for lending their support to the police for securing the electoral process, and he calls on officers to remain committed to upholding the highest standards of professionalism and integrity in the discharge of their duties while emphasising the importance of adherence to guidelines, rules of law, and standard operating procedures of their respective agencies for a more secure democratic institution in Nigeria.”