The Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Usman Baba Alkali has said that “quasi-security outfits” such as the South-West Amotekun, South-East’s Ebube-Agu and others established by state governments would not be engaged in election security during the 2023 general elections.
Alkali in a statement by the force spokesman, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, noted that such establishments are not legally-backed for the exercise.
The IGP emphasised the fact that all quasi-security outfits established by various state governments and local communities operating under different nomenclatures, structures, and orientations have no legal roles under the Electoral Act and in the electoral process.
He, therefore, directed all Police Managers to ensure they are not utilized by political or community actors for any role during the electioneering campaign and other electoral processes as such would amount to an illegality, a threat to national security, and inimical to the nation’s democratic interest.
As the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that campaigns will commence on Wednesday, September 28 for presidential and national assembly elections nationwide, the IGP has charged all officers to boost the security of public space by guaranteeing a crime-free and enabling environment during the political campaigns.
The officers were urged to ensure their actions and decisions align with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022, the 1999 constitution and the Nigeria Police Act 2020.
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