Contrary to the directive of President Muhammadu Buhari ordering security agents to shoot at sight, ballot box snatchers, the Inspector General of Police, IGP Mohammed Adamu has said that all electoral offenders, including ballot box snatchers will be arrested and prosecuted.
The IGP made the clarification during his address to the media and election observers during the last briefing by the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC Prof. Mahmood Yakubu,
Adamu said that Police personnel in the polling units will not be armed but there will also be police personnel from the tactical unit who will be armed to ensure that nobody breaks the law.
According to him, the tactical unit operatives have been directed to apprehend and arrest electoral offenders, including ballot box snatchers. He said the police legal unit headed by the Commission of Police in charge of the legal will investigate the offence and will prosecute such offenders.
The IGP also said that the police and sister security agencies will ensure that voters, electoral officers and observers are protected during and after the period of the election.