Barely five days to the November 11, 2023 off-season governorship polls in Imo, Bayelsa and Kogi states, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has ordered the redeployment of the Commissioner of Police in Imo State, Muhammad Barde.
The IGP who spoke on Sunday on Channels Television program; People’s Townhall on Election Security, said,”I am aware that there have been allegations on social media against the Commissioner of Police in Imo State but for this election, we are changing the commissioner of police in Imo,”
The Organised Labour including the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress have been raising issues accusing Olanrewaju of complicity in the recent attack on NLC President, Joe Ajaero, in Owerri, the Imo State capital, last week.
The Organised Labour had also issued the Federal Government a five-day ultimatum to replace the police commissioner, while also calling out Governor Hope Uzodimma who is seeking re-election of the attack on Ajaero though the governor had since denied having had in the ordeal of NLCpresident
The IGP also said the police have taken care of all the threats in the three states.
According to him, mopping up of arms will be periodical, before, during, and after the polls.
Egbetokun said the police will respond appropriately to vote buying and all electoral offenses with respect to the provisions of the electoral laws. Anybody who found engaging in vote buying will be prosecuted appropriately, he said, adding that the allowances of policemen will be paid as and when due.