Lagos LG poll: Police warn against violence, ask politicians to play by the rules

The Lagos state police command has warned against thuggery, hooliganism, and electoral malpractices during the local government election on Saturday.

The police command says it has deployed resources to provide adequate security before, during, and after the exercise.

Hakeem Odumosu, Lagos commissioner of police, warned politicians and their supporters, stakeholders, and residents of the state to abide by the rules.

The commissioner on Friday met with area commanders, divisional police officers, squadron/tactical units leaders to devise strategies for the election.

Odumosu said the officers have been mandated to protect the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission’s facilities, sensitive materials, polling units and collation centres.

“Officers and men who had been detailed for the election duty must work hand in hand with other security operatives that are being incorporated into the security arrangements for the elections,” the commissioner said.

“The officers and men must discharge their duties according to the Standard Operating Procedure of the Nigeria Police and extant electoral laws.”

The commissioner said the command had put measures in place to enforce the restriction of movement across the state between 6am and 3pm.

He said only those on election duty and essential services would be exempted.