The Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Ogbonna Onovo, recently, in Abuja, disclosed that intelligence reports gathered by the police in Anambra State ahead of the February 6, 2010 governorship election in the state indicated that majority of the politicians contesting in the election have recruited militias, most especially, armed robbers, ex-convicts, as well as kidnappers to use to cause mayhem during the election.
The IGP also said the reports also revealed that some of the politicians had acquired large quantities of mobile police uniforms, as well as large number of sophisticated arms and ammunition for use during the election.
Speaking at a meeting with governorship candidates in the 2010 Anambra election, Onovo expressed worries on the level of insecurity in the state, adding that the police will use every instrument at its disposal to ensure peaceful conduct of election on February 6.
According to him, “intelligence at the disposal of the police has it that some candidates are training militia groups while some outlawed organizations are amassing arms to be used during the campaign and election. Also, information revealed that other candidates intend to import mercenaries into the state to swell the ranks of miscreants and hoodlums in order to cause mayhem during the election.
“Also that some of you have concluded arrangements for the importation of the mercenaries from other states especially the Niger Delta. I felt that it is necessary that I let you know all this. We have been following with deep concern the activities of the major parties in Anambra, especially in the past two months.
“I tell you, we, of the police force, are not happy with what is going on. Some of you are already procuring mobile police uniforms. And you intend to distribute these uniforms to political thugs, cultists and members of motor park unions to be used to support and help you to fight, manipulate voters and other sundry activities. We also have information that you are planning to use some unregistered services and some of them are retired armed robbers or ex-convicts.
“We heard it also that the politicians are to use drivers association, that is taxi, bus, Okada riders, market union associations, Onitsha Market Union Traders Association (OMUTA), among others to rig election. Our intelligence also shows that the former chairman of NATO and now chief executive of a mass transit company has also perfected plans and is ready to finance one of the governorship candidates and is said to have recruited members of the disbanded NATO association to carry out their plans on election day.”
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