Police Commissioner Demands Neutrality from Officers in Osun Election

The Commissioner of Police (CP) for Akwa Ibom State, Baba Azare, issued a stern warning to officers and men of the Command deployed to Osun State for special election duty, stressing the critical importance of maintaining complete apolitical conduct. Addressing the personnel before their departure on Thursday, CP Azare emphasized that election duty is a sensitive national responsibility. He charged them to demonstrate the highest levels of professionalism, discipline, neutrality, and respect for the rule of law throughout the assignment period, ensuring their conduct reflects the integrity and professionalism expected of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).

CP Azare meticulously outlined various actions that constitute gross misconduct, which would be met with punitive measures. These prohibited acts included partisanship, intimidation of voters, extortion, harassment, unnecessary use of force, incivility towards the public, abandonment of duty posts, and the consumption of alcohol while on duty. He also specifically cautioned officers against violating the Inspector-General of Police’s Social Media Policy, strictly prohibiting them from posting, livestreaming, sharing, or circulating any photographs, videos, comments, or other materials related to sensitive election operations in a manner inconsistent with the policy or capable of compromising operational security and the image of the Force.

Regarding officer welfare, the Commissioner conveyed assurances from the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Rilwan Disu, confirming that adequate arrangements had been made for the transportation of all deployed personnel from Akwa Ibom to Osun State for the poll, and their subsequent return after the election duty. CP Azare firmly stated that “no officer is authorised or expected to pay for his or her transportation either to Osun State or back to Akwa Ibom State.” He directed all officers to travel strictly through the officially approved transportation arrangements and issued a stringent warning to commanders and other personnel against collecting money from any officer under the guise of transportation or related movement expenses, instructing that any attempt to demand or collect such money should be immediately reported through the appropriate channel.

Reiterating the gravity of their mission, CP Azare reminded the officers that they are going to Osun State as representatives of both the Nigeria Police Force and the Akwa Ibom State Police Command. He urged them to remain completely neutral and professional, explicitly stating that they must not allow themselves to be used by any political party, candidate, or individual. Officers were further directed to remain under the command and control of their designated commanders, observe the rules of engagement, protect voters, electoral officials, and election materials, and ensure that their actions contribute to a peaceful, credible, and violence-free electoral process. CP Azare concluded by emphasizing that “Any officer found engaging in misconduct, extortion, unauthorised collection of money or violation of lawful directives would be held personally accountable and subjected to appropriate disciplinary action.”