16th September, 2014
Ayorinde Oluokun/Abuja
As part of efforts to strengthen the security of the electoral processes in the country and ensure sustainable democracy and national development, the Inspector-General of Police, Acting IGP Suleiman Abba, has approved the establishment of Elections Security Planning and Monitoring Unit.
According to a statement signed by Emmanuel Ojukwu, the public relations officer of the Force, the unit which will be headed by the Commissioner of Police in the Department of Operations, will be responsible for development of frameworks, processes, strategies and systems necessary for election security, planning, monitoring and management.
Other duties of the unit as contained in the statement include: conducting elections security threat assessment, coordinating election security training, developing and implementing guidelines for the conduct of Police officers engaged in election duties.
The unit will also collaborate with strategic stakeholders, Community-based and Civil Society Organisations as well as Non-Governmental Organisations and International Development Partners in ensuring free, fair and credible elections within a secure democratic space in Nigeria.
Ojukwu added that the Acting IGP assured the general public of the determination of the Force and other security agencies to bring about hitch-free elections in 2015 and beyond while he also called for the support of all Nigerians, the political class, strategic partners, corporate establishment and all stakeholders towards actualizing this objective.