Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, has appealed to the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to conduct proper investigations into some cases of pre-election violence and ensure that culprits are brought to book.
The governor made the appeal when he received the IG who was in the state on a special visit regarding the November 11 governorship election.
He said that criminals must not be allowed to operate freely, noting that some offenders after perpetrating certain acts of crimes and criminalities run to the police to cry as victims.
The governor emphasised that a conclusive investigation should be conducted and added that going by the records, those who have been evading police invitations and those who have been alleged to have been killed by political supporters including women and youths, should be the prime suspects of the police force.
He said that the APC’s government under his leadership has performed at all levels beyond the imagination of the citizen hence the APC is not afraid of the election.
On his part, the IGP said that the police alongside other security operatives are fully prepared to conduct a free and fair election and are committed to a peaceful poll while he urged political actors not to burn down the state because of one election.
He said, ‘’My appeal is that we should all act according to the law during this election. On our path, the police will be prompt in neutralising any act of violence during the election and will respond to every act of violation swiftly. These are our commitments, and we are going to discharge our duties responsibly and effectively.’’
