The Plateau State Police Command has assured political parties of adequate security before, during and after elections in the state, warning against inflammatory statements, violence and other activities capable of disrupting public peace.
The assurance was contained in a statement issued in Jos by Alfred Alabo, the Police Public Relations Officer, following an engagement between Ayodeji Faniyan, Commissioner of Police, political party leaders and other stakeholders.
“The Plateau State Police Command has engaged leaders and representatives of political parties, candidates, and other stakeholders in a strategic meeting aimed at ensuring peaceful, credible, and violence-free elections in Plateau State.
“The Commissioner of Police, Plateau State Command, CP Ayodeji Faniyan, acknowledged the security concerns associated with Plateau State, identifying it as a potential flashpoint, and assured stakeholders that necessary preparations are underway to address both anticipated and unforeseen security threats.
“He further disclosed that the Inspector-General of Police has approved additional deployment of personnel and operational assets to strengthen security arrangements for the elections.”
The police command also warned political parties against inflammatory statements, incitement, violence and vote-buying, urging them to conduct their political activities responsibly and respect opposing views.
The statement stated that the command was willing to collaborate with political parties, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) and other relevant stakeholders to guarantee a peaceful electoral process.
The INEC representative at the engagement expressed the commission’s commitment to working with security agencies to ensure peaceful elections, while emphasising fairness, neutrality and compliance with electoral laws.
The police further urged political parties, candidates and their supporters to pursue their ambitions through lawful and democratic means, warning against actions capable of undermining public peace and order.
The command reiterated its commitment to political neutrality, assuring residents that it would discharge its constitutional responsibilities professionally and impartially, without favouring any political party or candidate.
Nathaniel E. Gbaoron is the Plateau State correspondent for BusinessDay and a seasoned journalist with a decade of experience covering sub-national affairs across Taraba, Adamawa, Nasarawa, Benue, Plateau, and other states. He holds both National Diploma (ND) and Higher National Diploma (HND) in Mass Communication from Fidel Polytechnic, Gboko. Over the years, he has participated in numerous media trainings and workshops spanning various areas of reporting, strengthening his expertise in economic and political reporting, community-level governance, development stories, and conflict-sensitive journalism. He is a member of Correspondent Chapel in Plateau state, a member of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), he is also a Rotarian and a member of Plateau Club 1921.
