Inspector general of police Usman Alkali Baba has urged political parties and politicians to allow the police to regulate their campaigns for the 2023 general elections.

According to him, the measure is to contain any possible breakdown of law and order.

Mr Baba made the call on Sunday in Maiduguri while speaking to journalists.

“I want to beg the politicians and political parties to give us the opportunity to regulate their processions, rallies and campaigns so that they don’t have (a) clash,” the police boss stated. “The commissioner of police is not saying you must apply for (a) permit before you campaign or rally but for him to know so that he can provide security for the venue of (the) campaign or to tell you if another party is also campaigning, for you to adjust to another date.”

The inspector general of police added, “It’s a matter of regulating for the benefit of all to avoid things getting out of control.”

While assuring the parties of the police’s commitment to ensuring security during the electioneering, Mr Baba declared the police would not accept political parties and politicians’ use of pseudo-security agents.

He reiterated the need for community policing to tackle criminals, adding that the 10,000 police recruited had been deployed to their various LGAs to enhance security.

“Right now, we have another 10,000 recruits undergoing training that we hope to graduate before the election,” the inspector general of police stressed.

He also noted that the role played by the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) was in line with community policing in Borno.

“The successes we achieved in fighting Boko Haram couldn’t have been possible without injecting CJTF. The CJTF assisted greatly as they know who is who in the area and led security to flush them out,” Mr Baba explained. “That is what we want to copy. Security is all about everybody playing his quota; what your next neighbour is doing must interest you.”

The police boss is in Borno for a two-day working visit. 

(NAN)