Lagos council polls: Breach security and get jailed for six months, police warns

The Lagos state police command has warned that any breach of security during the Lagos council polls on Saturday would attract a jail term of six months.

Fatai Owoseni, the state commissioner of police, made this known on Thursday at a meeting with stakeholders in the election.

He urged staff of the state Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) to resist any temptation from politicians or other parties that would affect the smooth conduct of the election.

Owoseni said the police would profile all LASIEC officials in order to ensure the prompt arrest of any of them that may carry out any form of electoral misconduct.

He emphasised that anyone caught disrupting the election, including LASIEC ad hoc and non-adhoc staff, party chairmen, members of transport unions, among other stakeholders, would be made to face the full wrath of the law.

While urging public office holders not to go to polling units with their aides, the commissioner threatened to arrest any security aide seen with a public office holder during the election.

“VIPs may be members of the national assembly, ministers, commissioners or members of the House of Assembly,” he said.

“Political office holders who are entitled to the use of aides will not be allowed to move around on Saturday with them.

“If they need to vote, they must be there as individuals to exercise their franchise and go back home.

“Any policeman found with them will be arrested. It is not just for this election. We have always advised police officers that are performing such duties not to go about with their weapons to intimidate electorate under the guise that they are aides to any VIP.

“Any policeman who violates this, we will make sure that the provisions of the law are brought to bear on him.”