IG Removes Adamawa CP, to Probe Failed Electoral Heist

Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja

The Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba, has ordered  the Commissioner of Police on election duty in Adamawa State, Mohammed Barde, to withdraw from the state with immediate effect.

The IG also ordered that the Commissioner of Police in charge of Gombe State, CP Etim Equa, to immediately proceed to Adamawa State for election security.

A statement by Force Headquarters  said the Commissioner of Police in Gombe State, CP Etim Oqua was directed to proceed  to Yola for the conclusion of the guber election.

“The IGP has given directive that the commissioner of police on election security in Adamawa State, CP Barde, should pull out of Adamawa State and the Commissioner of Police in charge of Gombe State, CP Etim Equa to proceed to Adamawa immediately, to go and supervise election and provide necessary information and ensure that the process is a success,” he said.

The statement signed by the Force Public Relations Officer and Chief Supretendent of Police (CSP), Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said the police high command would investigate the failed electoral heist in Adamawa.

“We have not received any letter  but we will carry out thorough investigation on the Adamawa incident in collaboration with  INEC. 

“So  if INEC sends in any letter, we will treat it as recommended as well. Also, the IGP has ordered the redeployment of the CP election Adamawa and replaced him with CP Gombe, CP Etim Oqua, who has been directed to proceed to Yola immediately for the conclusion of the guber election process in Adamawa. 

“We are committed to having a more secure and successful process in Adamawa”, it said.

The removal followed the declaration of Aishatu Dairu Ahmed also known as  Binani, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the governorship election while collation of the supplementary election results was still ongoing in the state.

The suspended Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Adamawa, Barr Hudu Ari, had declared Binani winner, usurping the statutory responsibility of the returning officer, Prof Mohammed Mele.