By Olusegun Olanrewaju
Ahead of the 2023 general elections, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Usman Alkali Baba, has ordered the immediate distribution of additional batches of uniforms, kits, accoutrements, and anti-riot equipment to police personnel.

The items comprised bullet-proof vests with armoured plates, ballistic helmets, long and short-range tear gas for civil disorder management, and stun guns to ensure officers appear in clean uniforms and are well-suited to discharge policing services professionally before, during, and after the elections.

A statement yesterday by Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said the distribution is also to ensure the general safety of all and sundry across the country.

EU appropriates additional €500,000 to tackle Cholera in Nigeria

It added that the distribution is coming on the heels of the recently procured batch of the items to cater for the welfare of officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force as preparations are in top gear for the forthcoming general elections, to optimise professionalism and friendly engagements in crowd control, as well as the subduing of any civil unrest; and to maximally adopt modern techniques of curtailing crimes and criminality.

“The IGP, therefore, assures of his administration’s continuous commitment to continually provide the needful and upgrade the operational capability of the force at all levels, to completely stamp out crimes and criminality in the country while providing top-notch election security management for the 2023 general elections.

“Equally, the Inspector-General of Police charges officers and men of the Force to exhibit discipline, decency, and respect people’s fundamental rights while discharging their duties,” the statement added.