Off Season Elections: PSC Urges Police to be Ruthless to Subversive Elements 

Ikechukwu Aleke in Abuja 

The Police Service Commission (PSC), yesterday, urged personnel of the Nigerian police deployed to Edo and Ondo states on election duties to be ruthless to subversive elements that may want to take advantage of the elections to perpetuate violent crimes.

Chairman of the Commission, DIG Hashimu Argungu (Rtd), also demanded the highest level of professionalism from security operatives who will be providing security services during the off season governorship elections in Edo and Ondo states holding in September and November this year.

Argungu noted that the operatives especially the Nigeria police force, the lead agency in election security must work to protect lives and properties of citizens before, during and immediately after the elections. 

The chairman said this while delivering a keynote address yesterday at the election security management symposium organised  by JoshTech Security and Safety Consult Ltd in collaboration with the University of Lagos (UNILAG Consult). 

He added that the security agencies must also ensure the safety of electoral officers and other stakeholders. 

He said they should do necessary identification, surveillance and monitoring  of all known possible subversive elements, terrorist  groups, political dissidents, pressure groups and other criminal elements.

A statement by Head Press and Public Relations, Ikechukwu Ani, quoted Argungu as saying that the security personnel should as a matter of national importance maintain peaceful conditions, law and order around the polling and collation centres.

He said the staff of the commission will continue to carry out oversight functions on policemen on election duties to protect the integrity of the elections.