The Deputy Inspector General of Police for the South West, Mr Oshodi Agboola, says any politician caught with firearms will face the full wrath of the law, with commencement of 2019 electioneering.

Agboola spoke onTuesday at a stakeholders meeting held with police personnel and other security agencies, representatives of political parties and civil society organisations at  the headquarters of Ogun Police Command, Eleweran, Abeokuta.

He also urged the police to stay apolitical while providing security for all candidates  of the political parties contesting the various  elections.

The police chief charged the police personnel  to display professionalism in the discharge of their statutory responsibilities, to ensure peaceful 2019 elections.

He said that the stakeholders’  meeting was held at the instance of the Inspector- General of Police, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris, as part of deliberate measures geared toward peaceful conduct of the forthcoming general elections.

The police chief appealed to politicians and their supporters to avoid any action that could heat up the polity or breach public peace.

He said the law enforcement agents would apprehend anyone caught formenting trouble.

The DIG also advised parents and guardians to monitor the conduct and movement of their children, to prevent them from  being recruited as political thugs.

“Politics is not do or die, it is a healthy contest such that if you don’t win today, you will win tomorrow, so why behaving as if election is a war?

“So, it is on this note we are urging everyone to tread on the path of peace before, during and after 2019 elections,” he said.

The DIG also cautioned politicians against hate speech in view of its dire consequences on the polity, stressing the need for campaigns to be based on issues.

Contributing, the Commissioner of Police for the state, Malam Ahmed Iliyasu, promised to work hand in hand with other security agencies and stakeholders to ensure peaceful conduct of 2019 elections in the state. (NAN)

– Dec. 4, 2018 @ 18:59 GMT |