Police to withdraw politicians’ orderlies

Friday Amobi, P’Harcourt

OPERATIVES of the Rivers State Police Command on Monday said it would withdraw police orderlies attached to politicians in the state during the December 10 reruns.

The operatives, who spoke during a meeting with stakeholders in Port Harcourt, also said it would not allow any police officer to go close to the polling units with guns and ammunition.

The state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Francis Odesanya, said the police would provide a level-playing field for all political parties in the election.

Odesanya said the police command would ensure that hoodlums did not have their way, stressing that the law would punish perpetrators of violence during the exercise.

He said, “This meeting is important to enable stakeholders to conclude all arrangements to ensure that the election is free, fair, credible and violent-free.

“All security escorts attached to the politicians will be withdrawn till after the elections.  No security will be allowed to move to the polling units with gun.

“This is one election the police are taking seriously because we want to prove to the world that we are capable of providing security. The police will not give in to such laxity in security again.  We will not fold our hands and watch criminals hijack the process. “

He added, “I warn all politicians to maintain the peace. Anyone who causes violence will be visited with the full weight of the law.  The hoodlums who have been given fake security uniform will not have the chance to wear them.”