It Will Be Suicidal To Attempt Disrupting Elections In Abia, Police Talks Tough

A combined team of security agencies on Saturday held a show of force in the three senatorial districts of Abia state with an assurance that they are prepared to ensure the safety and security of residents at the Feb. 25 elections and others.

Security agencies who took part in the “Operation Show of Force” include, the Department of State Services, DSS; Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, NSCD; National Drug Law Enforcement Agency; and the Road Safety.

Addressing newsmen at the command headquarters in Umuahia, Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Mustapha Mohammed Bala said that Abia was not safe for anybody hatching any plans to disrupt the election as such attempt would be suicidal.

He assured that necessary security measures have been put in place to ensure that voters go out to exercise their franchise on Sat. February 25.

The CP flanked by the Commander, 14 Brigade Nigeria Army, Ohafia, Brigadier General Adegoke Adetuyi; and Heads of other agencies cautioned hoodlums contemplating disrupting the peace people of the state are enjoying to have a rethink.

The police boss said, ”My advice to hoodlums is to relocate from Abia because the state will be too hot for them. Those who want to foment troubles during the election should leave now because we won’t allow them.

”We are ready for the elections and we have planned properly to ensure the security of lives and property of residents.

”Logistically we are ready, and we are combat ready. That’s why we are on this confidence- building patrol to reassure residents of their protection.”

On the sit-at-home order by Finland- based self-acclaimed freedom fighter, Simon Ekpa, in South East during the election days, the CP urged residents to disregard the order which, he noted, serves no good purpose.

According to him, the security agencies are not taking anything for granted, hence the show of force patrol and other stringent security measures put in place to ensure nobody disrupts the forthcoming elections in the state.

The CP identified Umunneochi Local Government Area as a flash point due to its multi-border points and assured that adequate security measures have been mapped out.

The commander, 14 Brigade Nigeria Army, Ohafia, Brigadier General Adegoke Adetuyi in his remarks said that although Abia was relatively peaceful, nothing would be left to chances, adding that all security agencies in the state are synergising to ensure adequate security of lives and property.

“While Abia State is observed to be relatively calm, largely due to many effective operations by the various security agencies, the security situation remains unpredictable.”

He noted that the threats by some elements to prevent election in South East geopolitical zone presented “a real challenge that requires aggressive posture through precursor operations in order to neutralize it.”

“This informs the call for the conduct of joint show of force march by all security agencies in the SE geopolitical zone, including Abia State, as part of the plans and preparations for the successful conduct of the election.

“This is necessary to dominate and be seen to dominate the entire state in the days leading to the elections”, he said.