Matilda Omonaiye/
Six policemen attached to Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike, were this morning dismissed by the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris, because of the roles they allegedly played in the December 10, 2016 parliamentary re-run election.
Police spokesman, Don Awunah, listed the particulars of the dismissed policemen as: “AP/No.177893 – Ex. Inspr. Eyong Victor; F/No. 400872 – Ex. Sgt Peter Ekpo; F/No.374585 – Ex. Sgt Oguni Goodluck; F/No. 385870 – Ex. Sgt. Orji Nwoke; F/No. 234216 – Ex. Sgt. Okpe Ezekiel, and F/No. 437983 – Ex. Sgt. Tanko Akor.”
Awunah told a press conference today at the Force Headquarters, Louis Edet House, in Abuja, that the dismissed policemen would also be prosecuted.
He said, “These aforementioned police personnel while in the convoy of His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Rivers State Barr. Nyesom Wike on the date of election, 10th December, 2016 misused the firearms in their possession contrary to the provisions of Force Order 237.
“The Service Personnel became overzealous, took laws into their hands and opened fire, causing panic in the crowd. They joined in storming the Port Harcourt City Council Secretariat and prevented the movement of election results of Emouha polling unit to the appropriate collation centre designated by INEC, in flagrant disregard and disobedience to senior police officers present at the venue.
“The six police officers, after the conclusion of investigation into this public mischief, were subjected to internal disciplinary measures, found guilty and consequently dismissed from the Force. They will be prosecuted under the Electoral Act to serve as a deterrent to others.”
Awunah told reporters that Democratic Policing is one of the core values of the current Police management under Idris’ leadership.
He added, “The IGP as an ardent apostle of the rule of law and adherent of international best practices of policing has since assumption of office articulated a master plan to guarantee a reformed electoral process across the country. This is a novel security template devoid of violence, electoral malpractices and attendant destruction of lives and property which have been a recurring decimal in previous elections in the country.
“Undoubtedly, this master plan as implemented by the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies under the auspices of Inter Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) has proved largely successful and should engender a credible roadmap for the fool-proof security of future elections in Nigeria.
“The IGP has also instituted comprehensive measures to ensure compliance with strict rules of professional behaviours and code of conduct for officers and men under his watch. To this extent, they are under obligation to conform to the dictates of enabling laws while carrying out their statutory responsibilities to the letter.
“Consequently, personnel of the Force who abuse their office, privileges and discretionary powers in the discharge of their official duties, will be brought to justice.
“In the case of the recent parliamentary election in Rivers State, the IGP’s resolve to secure the process was reciprocated with the unethical conduct of some bad eggs within the Force.
“In spite of strict warnings and instructions from the IGP that all police personnel on election duty should be of good conduct and desist from escorting their principals, notably public office holders and politicians to polling units throughout the period of the election, some recalcitrant police personnel were still found blatantly breaching these directives. This is unacceptable by all standards in the Force.
“Therefore, in the course of discreet investigations into the above misconduct, the following personnel of the Force were found to have in total disrespect to orders and directives, compromised, engaged in unprofessional acts and other unbecoming conduct
“These acts, if not checked, can be inimical to discipline and proper administration of the Force. Their actions are capable of bringing the entire Nigeria Police Force to disrepute and portray the Force in a very bad light as a lawless organization not guided by the rule of law.”