Terrorists, bandits, members of the banned Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and the Eastern Security Network (ESN), according to Usman Baba, the Inspector General of Police, pose a threat to the 2023 general elections.
This was stated by the IGP at a Friday press conference in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory.
“Activities of bandits, terrorists, and secessionists as well as self-actualization elements commonly known as IPOB or ESN still remain a challenge,” he stated.
Baba asserts that the poll on February 25, 2023 is also threatened by political corruption as well as crises within and between parties.
He stated that “subversive and anti-democratic elements” continue to target the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) facilities, making it challenging.
Baba stated that no quasi-security organization, including the Benue Guards, Ebubeagu, or Amotekun Corps in the South-West or South-East, will be permitted to participate in the election on Saturday.
“However, I have issued directive that no quasi-security organization is to be involved in policing the political process,” the IGP stated.
He reiterated the police’s commitment to free and fair elections.
Baba stated, “Much as the Nigerian Police has perfected plans to engender a peaceful electoral process, the following have been identified as possible challenges” regarding the difficulties the police faced prior to the general elections.
“We will continue to manage it because they are with us. We believe that we have conditioned the atmosphere more than ever before in order to manage these challenges because we have upgraded our operations.
In other words, “compared to what we have recorded as crime and criminality in the last one month,” “our analysis of the crime situation in Nigeria has drastically decreased.”