•Creates electoral offences desk
Police operatives at Keffi Area Command of Nasarawa State Command have arrested 24 suspected political thugs at Minki Suites, along Keffi-Akwanga Road, while acting on credible information.
This was just as the Inspector General of Police, Usman Baba Alkali, strongly warned against political thuggery, vowing to deal decisively with anyone caught engaging in it.
In line with this, IGP Alkali approved the establishment of Electoral Offences Desk at the Force Criminal Investigations Department (FCID), Force Headquarters, Abuja, with the Commissioner of Police, FCID, as the Desk Officer.
The IGP also directed its replication at state police commands, with the Assistant Commissioners of Police in charge of the Criminal Investigation Departments as Desk Officers.
This was made known by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, in a statement on Tuesday, June 7, 2022.
Thenewsbearer learnt that the thugs, suspected to be loyal to an aspirant in the Nasarawa West Senatorial primaries, reportedly came into the hotel in a convoy of seven private vehicles.
Among the items said to have been recovered from them were eight pump action guns, two locally-made revolver guns, 37 rounds of live cartridges, four bulletproof vests 27 mobile phones, two pairs of vigilante uniforms, five cutlasses, 10 assorted knives, criminal charms and other incriminating objects.
The FPRO said that preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects, who were reportedly hired, acted in the guise of being members of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN).
“The Inspector-General of Police has ordered the immediate transfer of the case to the Electoral Offences Desk at the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID), and the immediate arrest of the concerned aspirant for necessary investigative actions.
“The IGP reiterates the commitment of the Force to stamping out threats to peaceful and credible elections at all levels,” CSP Adejobi remarked.
The mandate of the Electoral Offences Desk Officers includes the collation and investigation of all electoral offences/complaints from members of the public or any quarters, with a view to determining culpability in line with the amended Electoral Act 2022, and proffering charges before courts of competent jurisdiction for necessary legal action.
The IGP also tasked the electoral offences desk to commence its activities immediately with some isolated cases recorded during the pre-election activities such as screening, conventions, primaries, among others.
