Elections: Kogi has been more challenging than Bayelsa, say police

The police say the challenge of securing voters and electoral
officials was tougher in Kogi than Bayelsa.

While governorship election held in both states, there was a
rerun election in Kogi west senatorial district.

There were reports of financial inducement of voters and
violence in the two states.

But speaking when he featured on Channels Television on Saturday
evening, Frank Mba, force public relations officer, said Kogi
recorded a higher level of violence.

He blamed politicians for the rancour, saying the police did
their best.

“I admit that there have been challenges in Kogi. The situation
in Kogi has been challenging, more challenging than Bayelsa,” he
said.

“When you are policing an environment where politicians play
very desperate games and want to win at all cost, you will be
swimming against the tides”.

Mba said 22 persons have been arrested in Kogi while ammunition
have been recovered.

He added that in the build-up to the elections, the force took
the initiative of mopping up some of the illicit weapons but that
it is impossible to get rid of all the weapons, particularly in
areas where elections took place.

“As hard as we might have tried I do not believe that we will be
able to mop up every single illicit weapon within those areas where
elections are currently taking place,” he said.

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