TheCable

Habilal Joshak, a deputy inspector-general of police (DIG), says the security details of Ayodele Fayose and Kayode Fayemi will be withdrawn ahead of the July 14 gubernatorial election in Ekiti state.

Joshak disclosed this in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, on Wednesday while addressing journalists.

He said the security details of top politicians have been asked to report at the police headquarters in Ado Ekiti by 6am on Saturday.

“We have contacted them and they have to be here before election commences. This election must not be compromised,” Joshak said.

“They will be documented and whoever defies this will be sanctioned, because they have been contacted.

“Those who want to create posts where votes are going to be bought will be disappointed. We are not going allow it.

“If you cast your votes, you can keep a distance and protect your votes, but if you snatch the ballot, we will cut off your hands, if you run with it, we will stop your legs.

“If you come out with masquerade on the day of election, we will get it arrested and unmask the man behind it.

“My men will be civil, so people are free to come out to vote. Nobody will be harassed, that is not part of our duties.

“Our duty is to secure not only the electoral materials but all the citizens. We are going to be professional and watchful, because we don’t want to be bedeviled with cases of hooliganism, ballot snatching and hate speeches before, during and after this election.”

Joshak said he would work with H.H. Karma, an assistant inspector general of police (AIG), and three commissioners of police — Ali Janga, J.B. Kokumo and G.B. Umar — who he said, will man each of the senatorial districts in the state.

Commenting on the siege laid on the government house, Joshak said: “We are not here to usurp the authority of Governor Fayose. We are not here to rubbish him because he represents the people.

“But we are not going to allow any authorised rally that can trigger violence in the state. You can see that the state is tensed up.

“As law enforcement agent, we must be proactive and take actions that can prevent crisis rather than trying to quell it after it might have broken out.”