Assistant Inspector General (AIG) of Police in charge of Zone 2, mad up of Lagos and Ogun States, Mbu Joseph Mbu, on Wednesday, February 18, 2015 responded to statements attributed to him that 20 civilians will be killed for any policeman killed.explaining yesterday that any attack on policemen during the forthcoming elections will be repelled.
Speaking via a statement issued by Zone 2 Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Olugbemiga Adeoye and signed by Mbu, he explained that he never ordered for civilians to be killed.
The statement read: “The AIG did not order policemen to kill or shoot innocent civilians if any policeman is killed as is being stated by some of these publications, which no doubt have political undertones.
“The AIG is a firm believer in the rule of law, which he signed to uphold. He only reminded his men not to be cowardly but be guided by Force Order 237 with the use of firearms.
“This means not only to defend themselves but others in the society including fellow police officers when their lives are in danger.
“There is no society where policemen are killed by hoodlums and the perpetrators would be allowed to escape justice.
“On the issue of the alleged arrest of governors at the polling units credited to the AIG, the command confirms that the AIG was clearly and deliberately misquoted.
“What he said was that no highly placed individual in the society, who has police escorts and other forms of personal guards, would be allowed within the voting area accompanied by such retinue of escorts.
“Of course, it is an electoral offence for anyone to campaign on election day and at polling units. From all indications, only those who are planning to disrupt or rig elections have to be afraid of police actions within the confines of the law.
“The AIG is only a police officer. He is among the thousands who would be deployed to ensure credible and violence-free elections.
“It is also imperative to note that Mbu was posted to Zone 2 command as part of routine police posting by the Inspector General of Police and not primarily for general elections to be used by anyone to manipulate the elections as is being suggested by some detractors.
“The command therefore wishes to assure members of the public that no publication, no matter how offensive, will intimidate or make the AIG lose focus of his statutory duties.
“The AIG has reiterated that any group of lawless people who attack the Nigeria Policemen under the zone would be repelled.”
