DEPUTY Inspector General of Police in charge of Zone 6, Calabar, Mr Sotonye Wakama, has warned troublemakers to steer clear of the legislative rerun taking place in Rivers State, on Saturday.
The police boss gave the warning when he visited the state office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), saying “if you bring out knife, we will bring out knife; if you come out with gun, we will bring guns.”
He expressed the likelihood that the rerun may be contentious, but assured that the police would leave no stone unturned in ensuring anybody caught trying to instigate trouble was dealt with according to the law.
The Okrika, Rivers State-born police officer also assured the management and staff of INEC of adequate safety during and after the election, adding that the police would bring in the necessary security across the state.
Wakama, accompanied by the Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG), zone six, Mr Adisa Bolanta, said “we all know that reruns in Rivers state are likely to be competitive if not contentious.
“A lot has happened in the state that call for concern to both the indigenes and residents in the state and beyond. It is for this reason that I have come down to the state to speak to all the stakeholders involved in the election and to reassure INEC of safe polls.
“[I have also come] to warn that if anything happen in this state; if we see anybody for any reason doing anything that is untoward, which will harm any individual or destroy any property, we will stretch the elasticity of the law in respect to that offence to fullest extent and deal with such person(s).
“However we are not carrying a knife to a gun fight. But should anybody brings out a knife, we will bring out our own. If they bring out guns, we bring out our own and if they want to harm anybody, we will ensure that they will be decapitated.”
He urged eligible voters to come out and cast their votes in accordance with the INEC stipulated rules, admonishing those who have no reason to come out to remain indoor until after the voting exercise was over.
Tribune……
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