File photo
3 Nigerian Police Inspectors & Officers Arrested For Electoral Malpractice In Rivers State
In the aftermath of the Presidential and National Assembly elections in Nigeria, the Rivers State Police Command has arrested four policemen over their alleged involvement in electoral malpractice. The state police Public Relations Officer, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the arrest in a statement on Monday. The four policemen were arrested following a video which trended on social media, suggesting the involvement of some police personnel operating in a Pick Up Vehicle with the inscription “RRT 050” in alleged electoral malpractice.
The Command has assured the electorate in the state of its unalloyed commitment to promoting the rule of law and ensuring that all offenders found culpable are adequately sanctioned. The police have also impounded the pick-up van in the trending video for thorough investigation. SP Grace Iringe-Koko further urged residents to remain calm and await the official announcement of the result of the election.
Electoral malpractice is a serious offense that undermines the credibility of an election and democracy as a whole. The Nigerian government has been making efforts to curb electoral malpractices, but incidents like this show that more needs to be done to ensure free and fair elections in the country.
The incident occurred in Omuma Local Government Area of Rivers State. The state has a history of political violence and malpractice during elections, with several instances of ballot box snatching, intimidation of voters, and even killings reported in past elections.
The arrest of the policemen is a step in the right direction and sends a strong message to other law enforcement agents and election officials that electoral malpractice will not be tolerated. The police must ensure that the investigation is carried out thoroughly, and the culprits are held accountable for their actions.
The Nigerian government must do more to strengthen the electoral system and ensure that election malpractices are eradicated. The people of Nigeria deserve free and fair elections, and it is the responsibility of the government and its agencies to make that happen.
It is hoped that the arrests made by the Rivers State Police Command will serve as a deterrent to others and lead to the conduct of credible and transparent elections in the future.
