Ahead of Saturday’s governorship election in Ondo State, the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Abubakar, and the General Officer Commanding 2 Division, Nigerian Army, Major Gen. Mohammed Abubakar, have warned troublemakers to stay away from the state.
The SOLDIERS got a shoot-on-sight order against hoodlums at tomorrow’s Ondo State governorship election, if they resist arrest.
The General Officer Commanding (GOC) Nigeria Army 2 Division, Major Gen. Mohammed Abubakar, gave the order while addressing soldiers to be deployed for election duties in Akure.
He spoke to them at the 32 Artillery Brigade in Ondo State capital.
Akume, the General, who said nobody would be allowed to carry arms to polling centres, also ordered his men to arrest anybody who violates the order.
He said soldiers were deployed for the election from various formations to ensure that the state has a free and fair poll, but refused to disclose the specific number of soldiers deployed.
Gen Abubakar said: “Nobody will be allowed to move around on that day, except for those on essential duties and those on election duty. No hunting on the Election Day. I am happy that the Inspector General of Police (IGP) has said that there will be no fishing during the poll. I don’t want to hear that I am going to the bush to hunt. Anybody with arm must be arrested. If he resists arrest, shoot him. I give you the order,” he said.
The GOC added: “Movement will be restricted from 6pm to 6am, but motorists travelling across the state to other parts of the country will be allowed passage after they must have proved that they are not going into the state.”
Gen. Abubakar hinted that he had received a petition from one of the candidates who accused another standard bearer of inducing some soldiers with money to allow his party to win.
While warning soldiers not to compromise with any politician, he said any soldier caught in such act would be dealt with.
The GOC cautioned his men: “No amount of money they promise you will turn you to Abiola or Dangote. These people worked for their money. So, be satisfied with what the Nigerian Army gives you.
“On election day, there will be a dress code for the troops so that we identify the real soldiers from the fake ones.”
Soldiers and riot policemen have taken over major parts of Akure, Ifon, Owo, Ondo town, Akungba and other urban areas of the state.
At entry points to the towns, especially the state capital, security check points mounted by soldiers are strategically-located to check vehicles coming in and going out.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) office located at Alagbaka area in Akure was fully secured.
Police anti-bomb squad and operatives of other security agencies took over the premises.
Journalists, civil society groups and other local and international observers were having a hectic time getting accredited for the governorship at the INEC office.
Head of Media Department of INEC, Aisien Odaro, said journalists will be accredited by 4 pm today.
Inspector-General of Police Mohammed Abubakar yesterday deployed Rivers State Commissioner of Police Mohammed Ndabawa, to take charge of security matters in tomorrow’s governorship election.
State Police spokesman Adeniran Aremu told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the commissioner assumed duties on Thursday.
He said Ndabawa held a meeting with some top police officers on election matters with a view to achieving success in his new assignment.
The CP will stand in for the state’s Commissioner of Police, Mr Danladi Mshelbwala, for the period of the election.
Aremu said the command was fully prepared for the election, and urged the electorate not to entertain fears but come out to cast their votes.
He said adequate security measures had been made to ensure the protection of lives and properties during the polls.
Some political parties had called for the replacement of the INEC Resident Commissioner and the Commissioner of Police as part of measures to ensure free and fair election.