The police in Ebonyi State have said 25 Ebuebagu personnel are in prison for various criminal offences.
Commissioner of Police Aliyu Garba stated this during a meeting with political parties, heads of security agencies and stakeholders involved in the 2023 elections.
Garba, who said the law is no respecter of persons, warned that the police will not fail to arrest anybody who engages in violence before, during or after the elections.
According to Garba, Ebubeagu officials are non-state actors and, as such, have no role to play in the electoral process.
He said: “Section 91 of the Electoral Act expressly provides that only the security agencies shall have a role to play in electioneering process as it relates to political rallies and procession. Ebubeagu has no role in electioneering campaign, and it was not created for any political purpose, but rather to complement the security architecture of the state with the state actors.
“Therefore, no local government chairman or political party should engage officials of Ebubeagu for whatsoever reason as the outfit was not created for political aggrandisement. Rather, they are to strengthen security of the state as non-state actors.”
Garba also warned against the use of abusive language during the election.
“Section 92 of the Electoral Act 2022 expressly prohibits politicians during political campaigns from making use of slogans tainted with abusive language, directly or indirectly, so as to avoid any act that will cause breach of public peace. “Therefore, anyone found wanting will be dealt with accordingly.”
State Commandant of Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Gbolade Felix warned against the use of security agencies’ uniform by political actors. He said the agency’s investigations showed that some unscrupulous politicians have started acquiring uniforms of security agencies so they can use for their nefarious activities during the elections.
“We are investigating the matter and we will arrest and prosecute all those involved for impersonation no matter who they are,” he warned.
