The Inspector General of
Police, IGP Ibrahim K. Idris, NPM, mni as the number one law enforcement
officer in the country and putting into cognizance his national and
international exposure, has tremendous respect for the office of the governor
of any state and by extension the occupants of this office.
Arising from the aftermath
of the conclusive re-run parliamentary election in Rivers State, novel in the
political history of the state, the police have received unprecedented verbal
attacks from highly placed political office holders in the media, conventional
and social.
It is, however, pertinent
to set the records straight vis à vis recent unfair and undeserved attacks,
condemnation and diatribes against the police by Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers
State in the conventional media and especially the social media arising from
the recently concluded December 10 re-run parliamentary elections in the state,
an election comparatively adjudged to be free, credible and fair from policing
perspective by major stakeholders. The Nigeria Police is not a vigilante
component of any state.
The police are law
enforcement officers who are sworn to oaths of office, allegiance and secrecy
which they hold sacrosanct. Police officers, particularly during the election
in view, put in their best in ensuring a hitch free exercise. As is widely
known, a DSP paid the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty in Rivers State.
Considering all these, it
is very unfair, insensitive and uncharitable to cast aspersions on the name of
the police in order to score cheap political points. The Police must be
insulated from politics. The era of political police officer is gone and
the apolitical nature of policing must be sustained and strengthened.
The Federal Special
Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS) officers who the governor kept referring to in his
diatribes against the police were indeed at the scene to arrest hoodlums who
were there to cart away ballot papers. The video clips trending in the media is
obviously skewed and doctored to suit predetermined political agenda.
A sincere and discerning
mind would observe in the video that the clearly and visibly shaken electoral
officer, Mrs Mary Tunkuyo held on tight to the FSARS commander, pleading with
him to save her from the political thugs who invaded the collation centre. It
would also be observed that another electoral officer was pointing out the
trouble makers to the FSARS operatives who had just arrived.
Furthermore, it is clearly
on record and in the video that no police officer carted away electoral
material, not even a single ballot paper. It is rather unfortunate that the
cameraman, in all the confusion, deliberately or mischievously chose to focus
on the security agents only, ignoring the thugs they were there to dislodge and
arrest, thereby creating a false illusion.
It is of utmost importance
that extreme caution be exercised when making claims especially unsubstantiated
ones to avoid heating up the polity, inciting violence and polarizing the
nation. People in positions of authority should avoid promoting violence
through their conducts and unguarded statements.
In the same vein, it is
absolutely important that the media understands its role in national
development and resist the temptation to be dragged and used for negative
political self-serving agenda. The media is critical in the formulation of
public opinion, policies and perception. And at all times, balanced and
unbiased reportage should be the hallmark of journalism.
The IGP believes in the
sanctity of the law, respect for constituted authority, upholding the rights of
citizens and protection of officers who are dedicated to their duty.
If there is any
professional misconduct on the part of any policeman known to the governor or
any other person, they should be bold enough to report such through the right
channels to enable the police investigate accordingly and not resort to a
campaign of calumny and media grandstanding.
It is hoped that in the
light of the facts laid bare through this medium, the recent wave of
unwarranted accusations meted out to the police will be put to final rest.
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Society