IPOB: No threat can stop Nigerians from voting–Police

The Nigeria Police Force has said no threat can stop Nigerians
from any part of the country from coming during the forthcoming
election to exercise their franchise.

The Force said this while reacting to the directive by the
Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) that its members and supporters
should stay indoors on then 16th of February.

The group also stated that whoever refuses to obey its order
would have himself or herself to blame.

The Force while assuring Nigerians that the country will be safe
before, during and after the election warned members of the group
and other intending troublemakers to back out or face the full
weight of the law.

The Force Spokesman, Assistant Commissioner of Police, ACP Frank
Mba who spoke with The Nation said: “The Nigeria Police Force will
like to assure well-meaning Nigerians in the northern part, the
southern part, eastern part and western part of the country or any
other part of the country that falls within geographical entity
called Nigeria that the Nigeria Police Force working in
collaboration with other security agency will ensure that every
inch of the country is safe and secured, before, during and after
the elections.

“Nigerians will be provided with a safe and secured environment
to exercise their franchise and no threat from any organization
under whatever name they are called can stop law abiding citizens
from coming out and exercising their franchise.

“The Police High Command also wishes to warn intending
troublemakers that while we will protect the peaceful, we will not
hesitate to deploy the full weight of the law against anyone who
threatens the peace, security and sovereignty of our country.”

A source in the Police who described the threat as ‘empty’ also
said the group has had the history of threatening election in the
past without success.

He said: “This very group has had the history of threatening
election and the law enforcement agencies have always put them in
check and this election will not be different.

“If you follow the history, you will notice that IPOB has Abia
as its strongest base and surprisingly, Abia is one of the states
that recorded about 50 percent increase in PVC registration, the
state witnessed a massive registration. So, nothing is going to
happen during and after the election.”