Policemen to stay 300 metres away from polling booths

The Policemen deployed in Zone 2 of the Nigeria Police Force to monitor elections will be positioned 300 metres away from the polling booths they will monitor.

The Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Zone 2, comprising Lagos and Ogun states, Mr Suleiman Fakai, who disclosed this at a press briefing in Lagos yesterday, said the measure was aimed at cheking any outbreak of violence during voting.

He directed Area Commanders and Divisional Police Officers to ensure that all disused tyres are removed from their respective jurisdictions, as they could be used by thugs to create burn fire.

Fakai gave the advice at the Police College, Ikeja, Lagos, while briefing policemen and other paramilitary agents that will assist the police in providing security.

He warned that all policemen should be dressed in their uniforms, except those of the State Criminal Bureau who would carry out undercover jobs.

He warned that policemen must not leave the polling booths　where they are posted during elections, adding that anyone who disobeyed this order would be declared a deserter and dealt with accordingly.

Fakai said, ” If a policeman leaves his beat, he will be declared a deserter and　 will be dealt with accordingly. You are not to leave until the ballot boxes get to their final point.　After election, you are to escort the election materials to the final point. That is, from the polling booth　to collation centre. Thereafter, you proceed to state collation centre, and from there to INEC office.”

He further warned against the use of firearms, except in rare cases. “This is because election is a civic responsibility and, therefore, the use of firearms is not necessary. At most, use teargas or even muscle, except on rare cases.”

In the case of violence, he said policemen at the polling booth should immediately contact their Divisional Police Officers on their mobile phones or use their walkie talkies.

Offenders, according to him, would be directed to the Criminal Investigation Bureau (CIB) where　assigned teams of experienced and knowledgeable operatives would handle the investigation. He however suggested that it was better for the electorate to leave the polling booths after voting; pointing out that, that way, any act of violence would be checked.

He further warned politicians to desist from bringing armed policemen attached to them near the polls, threatening to arrest whoever flouts the directive.