Akwa Ibom police chief warns officers on Osun election duty

Officers and men of the Akwa Ibom State Police Command deployed for election duty in Osun State have been sternly warned against any form of unprofessional conduct. The Commissioner of Police, Baba Mohammed Azare, issued the directive while addressing the personnel before their departure.

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You are going to Osun State as representatives of the Nigeria Police Force and the Akwa Ibom State Police Command. You must remain completely neutral and professional. Do not allow yourselves to be used by any political party, candidate or individual.

CP Azare emphasized that election duty is a sensitive national responsibility requiring the highest standards of integrity, discipline, and professionalism. He urged the officers to remain completely neutral and professional, cautioning them against being influenced by any political party, individual, or candidate. The warning explicitly included prohibitions against partisanship, voter intimidation, extortion, harassment, unnecessary use of force, incivility, abandoning duty posts, and consuming alcohol while on duty.

"You are going to Osun State as representatives of the Nigeria Police Force and the Akwa Ibom State Police Command. You must remain completely neutral and professional," Azare stated. He reiterated that any act capable of bringing the Nigeria Police Force into disrepute would not be tolerated.

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You are warned against partisanship, intimidation of voters, extortion, harassment, unnecessary use of force, incivility, abandonment of duty posts, consumption of alcohol while on duty, or any other act capable of bringing the Nigeria Police Force into disrepute.

Furthermore, the officers were cautioned against violating the Inspector-General of Police's Social Media Policy. They were instructed not to post, livestream, share, or circulate any materials related to sensitive election operations that could compromise operational security or the Force's image. The CP assured the officers that adequate transportation provisions had been made for their travel to and from Osun State, warning that no officer was authorized to pay for their own transport.

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You must not post, livestream, share or circulate photographs, videos, comments or other materials relating to sensitive election operations in a manner inconsistent with or capable of compromising operational security and the image of the Force.