With the Osun State governorship election just days away, the Kwara State Commissioner of Police, Ojo Adekimi, has issued a firm warning to officers and men being deployed for election security duties in the neighboring state. The message is simple: maintain the highest level of discipline, remain strictly neutral, and uphold professional conduct from start to finish.
Addressing the personnel before their departure, Adekimi relayed the directive of the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, emphasizing that every officer assigned to the electoral exercise must stay completely apolitical and impartial. Their actions, he stressed, must align strictly with the law and established rules of engagement.
The police commissioner made it clear that election security is a critical national responsibility, not a routine assignment. He cautioned against any behavior that could tarnish the reputation of the Nigeria Police Force or erode public trust in the electoral process. Specific warnings were issued against extortion, fraternizing with political actors, and the unnecessary use of force.
In a statement released on Thursday in Ilorin by the command’s spokesperson, SP Adetoun Ejire Adeyemi, the CP directed the deployed officers to stay vigilant and maintain effective communication with their respective commanders. Their core duties, he noted, include protecting lives and property, preserving public order, and ensuring a secure environment where citizens can cast their votes without fear, intimidation, or interference.
Adekimi expressed confidence in the readiness of the personnel, urging them to act as worthy ambassadors of the Kwara State Police Command throughout the assignment.
