BY JENNIFER JOHN / OWERRI
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Ahead of the Imo State Governorship Election, the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Olukayode Egbetokun, has charged police officers to be professional and impartial in their duties.
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Egbetokun who gave the charge yesterday in Owerri during an interface with stakeholders on the electoral process of Imo State, emphasized on the need for everyone to give peace a chance in the state, especially during and after the election.
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His words: “The peace of Imo State is important to us. We want peace in Imo State. This state had always been known as peaceful state . The people of Imo State are known to be very friendly, they are well known everywhere in Nigeria and all over the world. We don’t want anything that will disrupt the peace of Imo State.
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“And I am here as the Inspector General of Police, to give you assurances that the Nigerian Police Force and other security agencies deployed to Imo State are here for you. They are here to protect you, they are here to work for you, they are here to give you security, so you can thrive in your businesses, so there will be economic prosperity in the state.
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The IGP urged ‘Imolites’ not to be intimidated by the massive presence of Police and other security agents, stressing that it should rather give them confidence to come out and exercise their franchise during the forthcoming governorship election in the state.
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Agbetokun used the opportunity to reassure members of different political parties in the state that security agents would be impartial in the November 11 governorship election as none of the personnel of any security agency belongs to any political party.
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He urged ‘Imolites’ to report any infraction on the side of any security agent on election duty to the appropriate quarters for proper disciplinary actions as none of their members who is found wanting in the discharge of their duties would be spared.
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The Police boss, however warned party supporters and their candidates in the election to conduct themselves appropriately as anyone who tries to cause trouble during the election would be seriously dealt with.
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Also while addressing officers and men of the State Police Command shortly after his meeting with stakeholders, the IGP strictly warned police officers deployed to election duty to be professional and impartial in their conduct, adding that professional misconduct would not be tolerated.
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“Tell your Officers and Men who are going for this election to put up their best behavior. I am aware that all of you going for this election duty have been adequately trained. Please ensure you put everything you have been taught to practice”.
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He reminded them that their duty as police officers at the election is to provide security for the election, promising that they would be provided with logistics they need to discharge their duties efficiently.
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