The inspector General of police, IGP IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, has approved the redeployment of the commissioner of police, Imo State Command, CP Mohammed Barde to the Force Headquarters on special duty.
A statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said the decision “underscores Police Force’s unwavering dedication to upholding the rule of law and maintaining strict neutrality throughout the electoral proceedings.”
ACP Olumuyiwa noted that the action isn’t an indictment of CP Barde “but is rather part of a broader strategy aimed at bolstering security measures, promoting transparency, and upholding the integrity of the electoral security management,” stressing that the IGP is committed to ensuring adequate security in the election.
The statement reads:
In a pivotal development ahead of the upcoming gubernatorial election in Imo state on 11th November, 2023, the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM, has ordered the redeployment of the Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Mohammed Barde to the Force Headquarters on special duty.
The IGP’s decision to reshuffle the CP underscores the Police Force’s unwavering dedication to upholding the rule of law and maintaining strict neutrality throughout the electoral proceedings. This redeployment is not an indictment on the affected officer but is rather part of a broader strategy aimed at bolstering security measures, promoting transparency, and upholding the integrity of the electoral security management.
The IGP is resolute in ensuring that a secure environment is provided for all stakeholders, political parties, candidates, and citizens to participate in the electoral process. He urges all and sundry to cooperate with the Police and other security agencies and adhere to the law in order to ensure a smooth and successful election while maintaining the principles of democracy.
This development might not be unconnected to the attack on the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Joe Ajaero, in Owerri, the Imo State capital after which the organised labour issued a five-day ultimatum for the redeployment of the state Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Barde.
Ajaero, was attacked and brutalised in Owerri, on Wednesday, while he mobilised workers for a protest over their unpaid salaries brutalised.
Amidst the widespread outrage that followed the incident, the NLC and the TUC had accused the Imo CP of being complicit in the attack and threatened a five-day ultimatum for the Federal Government to replace him.
