Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Kpotun Idris, says no fewer than 20 000 men, three helicopters and 20 gunboats would be deployed in Rivers State for the state and National Assembly rerun elections holding on Saturday. Idris, who disclosed this, yesterday, said the police wanted to re-enact the examples on peaceful conduct of elections in Edo and Ondo where governorship polls recently held.
“It is our responsibility to ensure a hitch free exercise and we would do our best to ensure a violence- free rerun elections to re-enact the Edo and Ondo examples”, he said while addressing officers and man of Kano State Police Command during a visit.
“We are happy with what happened in both Edo and Ondo states. We will be on ground with 20,000 men, three helicopters and 20 gunboats to ensure violence-free rerun elections”. Idris however warned that the police would be at liberty to defend themselves in the event of attacks. “The police are your friends, they would be there for you to ensure safety of life and property. But I must warned however that we would not condon attacks on our men”. He announced the withdrawal of Mobile Police to guard VIPs, adding that a special protection unit would henceforth be deployed for civil purpose.
According to him, a reform would be implemented to assist serving and retired police officers. He added: “A special package to assist police widows is also in the offing”.
