IPOB can never stop Anambra elections – Police Commissioner
The
Commissioner of Police, Anambra State, Mr. Garba Umar, has sent a
stern warning to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to forget about
disrupting the governorship poll scheduled for November 18 in the state.
Umar said IPOB had no power to stop the poll, adding that the police would do its best to ensure that the exercise is peaceful.
The
police boss, who spoke with our correspondent in an interview on
Saturday, maintained that no group should stop the people of the state
from choosing their leader.
He
said, “The election has been fixed by the constitutionally recognised
electoral body. Nobody can stop it. We have the capacity to provide a
peaceful atmosphere in Anambra State for that election.
“I
have not heard from IPOB that it would stop the election, apart from
what was published in the media. But that is for the media. Nobody or
group can issue such a threat and succeed. As law enforcement officers,
we have the capacity to subdue such a threat.
“The
people of the state have the right to partake in periodic elections to
choose their leaders; nobody or group can stop them from exercising such
a right. We can’t allow it. We are fully on the ground and we can
suppress such threat.”
Umar said the police in the state were consulting with relevant stakeholders to ensure a peaceful poll.
Meanwhile,
the command on Saturday paraded crime suspects, including a vigilante
who allegedly buried someone in a shallow grave.
Addressing
journalists while parading the suspects, Umar, who assumed duties about
a week ago, said his administration would do its best to curb crime in
the state.
He
said, “On the night of June 22, 2017, the suspect, while on duty as a
security guard, on the premises of a distributor located along Oko Road,
Ekwulobia in Aguata LGA, killed a person yet to be identified.
“The
suspect buried the corpse in a shallow grave within the premises. He
failed to report the incident to anyone, including his employer and
co-workers.
“On
June 27, 2017 at about 23:00 hrs, following intelligence report, police
detectives arrested two suspects who broke into Union Bank, Nkpor, and
attempted to break into the strong room of the bank. The arrested
suspects are: Michael Nwokedi, 18, from Ogbedibia village, Onitsha and
one Praise Okoli, 18, from Awomama Imo State.”
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