THE Lagos State Police Command may have deployed no fewer than 10,000 police officers and men to monitor and keep the peace during the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) primaries for the State House of Assembly for today. No fewer than 40 police personnel will be deployed in each of the 20 centres, according to the state command boss, Mr. Emmanuel Adebayo.
He warned that the police will not tolerate any act of violence or thugery during the elections.
Addressing journalists at the Command Headquarters, Ikeja, Lagos, Adebayo said: “We want to warn miscreants who may wait to cause trouble. The command will not tolerate any act of thugery and violence. Any act that violates the law will not be allowed.”
He recalled that the PDP ward congress held recently was hitch-free in Lagos. “Each of the centres will be covered by 40 policemen. We have deployed 10,000 policemen for the primaries. Only accredited delegates are to be seen at the centres. Non-delegate should not get close to the venue. We want to assure the voters of their security. Anyone who has complaints to make after the election should explore constitutional means of seeking redress. We will not allow any fire arms by candidates or anyone around the vicinity,” Adebayo warned.
The Police boss assured the electorates: “Police cannot be used for any behind-the-scene plan. I will be fair to all politicians, no favouritism. For every party that wants to hold its congress and we receive their time table, we will cover them. All the warnings I gave goes to all other politicians. The regulation on campaign now is that no individuals must go out to campaign, only political parties as a body are allowed to campaign now. Policemen would be attached to each of the 20 centres in Lagos State,” he assured.