Police beef up security in Niger constituency

The Niger State Police Command has warned that violators of the electoral process during Saturday’s re-run election in the state will be met with the full weight of the law.

The state Commissioner of Police Shawulu Danmamman, however, assured residents of adequate security ahead of the House of Assembly’s re-run election for the Lavun constituency.

The spokesman for the state police command, Wasiu Abiodun, made this known in a statement on Friday.

Abiodun said the commissioner directed adequate deployment of personnel and operational assets to the area for credible and peaceful conduct of the election.

The statement read, “The police command and other security agencies who are members of the Inter-agency Consultative Committee on Election Security in the state have deployed adequately, as the deployment is led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Operations, DCP Shehu Umar Didango.

“This is in addition to the officers and men of Bida Area Command under the Area Commander, ACP Abiodun Bakare to supervise and ensure a conducive environment for INEC to carry out its responsibility under a peaceful atmosphere.

“Consequently, the IGP has ordered the restriction of all forms of vehicular movement on roads, waterways, and other forms of transportation from 12 am to 6 pm on election day in Lavun area where the election will be conducted, with the exception of those on essential services such as INEC officials, electoral observers, accredited media and observers both foreign and domestic, ambulances responding to medical emergencies, firefighters, etc., during the election.

“The police has also ordered a ban on all security aides to VIPs and escorts from accompanying their principals and politicians to the polling booths and collation centers during the election. State-established and owned security outfits and organizations, quasi-security units, and privately owned guard and security outfits are also barred from participating in election security management.”

He explained that the movement restrictions, including the ban on VIP aides, escorts, and state security outfits, are crucial measures to prevent undue interference or intimidation during the electoral process.

Abiodun said these restrictions were implemented to safeguard the integrity of the elections and guarantee equal participation for all.

While urging members of the public to report suspicious activities to the police, the CP told political parties, candidates, and their supporters to conduct themselves responsibly and in accordance with the electoral procedures saying, “Any attempt to disrupt the electoral process or violate the established guidelines will be met with the full force of the law.”

After the 2023 general elections, Joshua Gana of the Peoples Democratic Party was declared the winner of the February 25 National Assembly Election in the state.

However, the Chief of Staff to the state Governor, Abdullahi Gbatamagi of the All Progressives Congress challenged the outcome, seeking to be declared the winner.

Gbatamagi claimed that the opponent’s defeat in several polling units within the Edati, Lavun, and Mokwa constituencies due to irregularities warranted the tribunal to overturn the election results and declare him the rightful winner.

Justice Mohammed Rashid stated that the evidence presented to the tribunal was compelling.

Consequently, the National Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal ordered INEC to withdraw the certificate of return issued to Gana.

Justice Rashid further ordered a rerun to be held within 90 days in the 23 impacted polling stations.