By Musdapha Ilo, Maiduguri
The Borno state police commissioner, Clement Adoda has said that additional security personnel may be drafted to the troubled state to bolster security during the general elections and to forestall security breaches by Boko Haram insurgents.
The police chief revealed this on Wednesday during a sensitization meeting with political parties in Maiduguri, capital of Borno State, where he admitted the need for more police presence during the forthcoming elections, stating also that he had discussed the state’s security challenges with the Inspector General of Police, IGP.
He assured stakeholders that the Police Force would explore all means to ensure the smooth conduct of elections in the state and that the state command was considering requesting for additional troops from neighbouring states during the polls.
“I want to assure you of our readiness to ensure peaceful conduct of the election in the state. The Inspector General of Police is in constant touch with the command and had assured of assisting us all the needed support to ensure a hitch free election in the state,” he said.
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The police commissioner who said that the meeting was aimed at enlightening politicians on the need to eschew violence during the polls also disclosed the possibility of deployment of mobile squadron from states like Lagos and Port Harcourt.
Suggesting that the military could be drafted to provide support if need be, he said the troubled state cannot afford additional crisis as the Boko Haram crisis was enough trouble to deal with.
Adoda cautioned politicians against using foul or abusive language which he said can ignite violence. He warned that the police will take decisive action on politicians engaged in the use of abusive language.
“Political parties must centre their campaign on issue based arguments and not personal attacks. There is the need for us to avoid the use of abusive language during campaigns,” he said.