THE Inspector General of Police (IGP), Usman Baba, has alleged that some separatist agitators operating under the auspices of the Oduduwa Nation are amassing weapons in an effort to sabotage the general elections scheduled for February 25 and March 11 in the South-West geopolitical zone.
The IGP revealed this to some strategic police managers today at Force Headquarters in Abuja.
He also bemoaned the rise of cyberbullying for political gain and the trafficking in small arms and light weapons to advance political extremism, bloodshed, and intolerance.
Addressing police officers today, the IGP said, “As you are aware, some crimes of national security importance could undermine our efforts towards entrenching a peaceful electioneering process, if not adequately curtailed.
“These include banditry and terrorism which has ravaged many communities in the North-west and North-Central with adverse effects on the economic and social well-being of the residents.
“Similarly, violent secessionist campaigns by IPOB/ESN members have been targeted at various symbols of democratic governance including INEC assets, police stations and personnel as well as other security agencies and Federal Government infrastructures, all in an effort to disrupt the 2023 general elections in the South East geopolitical zone.
“Other major crimes are the growing activities of the Oduduwa Nation Agitators who, from intelligence sources, have been attempting to amass weapons and mobilise other resources towards disrupting the peace, security and electoral process in the South-West geopolitical zone.”
The IGP urged the officers to act “within the bounds of the Electoral Act and other legislation,” assuring Nigerians of the police’s commitment to free, fair, credible, and secure elections.
