Bayelsa, Kogi Elections: Police Service Commisson deploys 45 staff

The Police Service Commission (PSC) has concluded arrangements to deploy 45 staff to monitor the conduct of policemen on electoral duties during the November 16th governorship elections in Bayelsa and Kogi states.
Out the 45 staff monitors, 20 are for Bayelsa state and 25 for Kogi state. The Commission staff will be in the two states to benchmark the conduct of the officers with approved rules of engagement for police officers on electoral duties and other relevant laws guiding such exercise.
Spokesperson of the PSC, Ikechukwu Ani said cases of police misconduct arising from the monitoring exercise would be investigated by the Commission and any police officer found guilty will be punished accordingly.
He further noted that officers are advised to ensure that they operate within the ambit of the law and should be professional in their conduct while remaining neutral and apolitical.
According to Ani, team will be expected to arrive the two states today, Wednesday, November 13th, 2019 to monitor deployment of men and materials, conduct of the officers before, during and after the elections.
The Bayelsa State team will be led by commissioner representing the South-south geo-political zone, Mr. Austin Braimoh, while the Kogi State team will be led by the commissioner representing North Central zone, Rommy Mom.
Ani said dedicated telephone lines have been provided for Nigerians to call and report cases of police misconduct or exemplary conduct during the elections. The lines are; Bayelsa Central……08033326666, Bayelsa East…..08037002162, Bayelsa West….08062583132, Situation Room, …08088155981; Kogi Central…08090976725, Kogi East….08061509877, Kogi West…….08054970152, Situation Room,……..09022202111.
Chairman of the Commission, Musiliu Smith, a retired Inspector General of Police, said the monitoring exercise is derived from the constitutional mandate of the Commission to exercise disciplinary control over the police.
According to him, the Police must be held accountable for its actions and inaction including during elections.