The police have vowed to arrest and prosecute perpetrators of election violence and their sponsors in Bayelsa.

The DIG in charge of election in the state, Daniel Sokari-Pedro, said this on Thursday in Yenagoa as the state prepares to elect a governor on Saturday.

Mr Sokari-Pedro gave the warning when he addressed election stakeholders and senior police officers deployed for the polls.

He said the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has directed police personnel to be committed to a free, fair, safe and unhindered democratic process during the off-cycle election.

He said the police consider all three Senatorial zones in the state as volatile and have identified some local government areas considered flashpoints.

“The three Senatorial zones that make up the state are politically volatile; some local governments are flashpoints, they include Sagbama, Nembe, Kolokuma/Opokuma, Southern Ijaw and Brass.

“These are just some of the local governments that are most volatile.

“Unfortunately, the youths have been identified as the vanguard of election violence, and the so-called godfathers and principals are the purveyors and patrons of this,” Mr Sokari-Pedro said.

According to him, election violence has been allowed to fester because both perpetrators and their sponsors have always escaped prosecution.

Mr Sokari-Pedro directed police officers in all the local governments to carry out a show of force and put all suspects out of circulation.

“Any civilian that is armed at any polling centre shall be arrested, and failure to do that by the police, the police themselves or the agent who is responsible for such lapse, will be arrested.

“Any orderly or guard that escorts his principal to the polling centre shall be arrested and thereafter tried in the orderly room, in this case, if care is not taken, may lead to his dismissal.

“I want to assure you that at every point from voting, counting and collation, police shall provide protection for voters, INEC officials, property and materials. Sanctions shall be meted to officers for any breach,” he said.

The DIG told parents and guardians to warn their children to avoid trouble during and after the election. 

(NAN)