Yes, I’m in Lagos because of Feb polls, says Mbu

Yes, I’m in Lagos because of Feb polls, says Mbu

Controversial Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG), Mr. Mbu Joseph Mbu, now in charge of Zone II, Onikan, Lagos State, yesterday confessed that he was in the state because of the forthcoming February polls as people had speculated, describing the approaching election as the, “greatest of all police assignments.”

Addressing senior policemen at the Lagos State Police Command Headquarters, and later journalists, Mbu said he was in Lagos to ensure that the elections would be the freest and fairest one ever witnessed.

According to him, he had handled a lot of elections and they had always been adjudged the best wherever he finds himself.

Explaining that he realised the debate and speculation that his movement to Lagos sparked, he said he and his men would, “shame prophets of doom,” by conducting a fantastic election.

He said: “I have no right to challenge my posting, that’s why I’m here today. I know that everyone is jittery. Police are saying, Ha, be careful and dress well and civilians are saying ‘the man like trouble.’ But you can see me here today; I’m as meek and harmless as anything. I’m here in Lagos at the most critical period in the history of Nigeria, not just me, but all police officers. Let’s work and disappoint our critics who are saying Mbu came to Lagos with an ulterior motive. How can we disappoint them? By making sure we take part and ensure that the presidential election will be free and fair and above all, peaceful!”
He cautioned his men who would be at polling booths to be impartial, stressing that if they fail, it would warrant demotion or outright dismissal and that if they succeed in ensuring a well conducted election, they may be elevated.

He noted: “This is the greatest assignment. Let’s disappoint prophets of doom and be impartial. Prepare yourself for the election and be serious. Keep to the Code of Conduct of the Police, if anything is going wrong in your polling booth, film it!”

He further charged the men to do everything possible to ensure there would be no violence on that day. He said that the best way to avoid violence was for the policemen to do their work well, adding that, “if underage voters come, disqualify them. Police doesn’t rig election and would not touch election figures. Police is to observe and prevent evil because evil breeds violence!”

He also instructed his men to arrest any politician who comes on convoy to the polling booth.

Speaking to residents of Lagos, Mbu said that people should avoid violence by doing the right thing. “I want Lagosians to know that the elections would be conducted fairly, peacefully and there won’t be any violence.”

He recalled that one of the days he was going round Lagos, he saw some youths with machetes and broken bottles, warning that the police would no longer tolerant such lawlessness.

“I’ve given my policemen marching order to demobilise anybody found with any weapon, either violently or otherwise. We must make sure we recover the weapon from the person,” warned Mbu. “The police, supported by other security agencies will give anybody embarking on political campaigns enough coverage.”

Noting that political thugs and their leaders would be arrested and prosecuted, Mbu urged citizens in Lagos to sleep well because there would be no election-violence.

He said he and his men are impartial umpires and that those alleging he came to Lagos for nefarious purposes would be disappointed and shamed. “I’m not an electoral officer. Do I look like someone who can harm anybody? All Commissioners of Police have been directed to mop up small arms in circulation.”

Fielding question about incessant attacks on policemen at polling booths during elections period for no reason, Mbu said: “I’ve said it before and I’m saying it again, don’t always attack my policemen! People always leave the subject matter to attack my policemen.

Anyone who attacks my policemen violently, we would retaliate violently! I’ve called for massive onslaught. We are going to station heavily armed policemen, with teargas in certain areas. We are going to fix trackers on all police vehicles. If we get calls, we’ll ensure we go to those places. If we respond to calls, we’ll smoke the place and arrest everybody. The whole world is watching. We as police are the leading agency in this election, we must lead by example.”