Rivers elections: Police to investigate death of DSP, others

The Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, said a high-powered investigation team had been directed to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death of DSP Mohammed Alkali and other missing officers during the re-run elections in Rivers State.
A statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday by the Force Spokesman, Deputy Commissioner of Police Don Awunah, said the I-G’s master plan on election security would continue to be improved upon for future elections
Awunah said: “This master plan will usher in credible, fair, free and acceptable elections in accordance with the principles of democratic policing and international best practices.”
He said some disgruntled elements in the state attempted to foist violence and insecurity on the populace that were generally peace loving.
He said: “Comparatively, the re-run election was a huge success in contrast to past elections in the state that were usually characterised by violence and wanton destruction of lives and property.”
The I-G expressed satisfaction with the performance of the police officers deployed to Rivers for the elections.
Awunah stated: “The IGP condoles with the family for this great loss and identify with the grief of his colleagues.”
Awunah said that the report by CLEEN Foundation, an NGO, that the elections were “marred by irregularities, violence and open bias by security operatives and electoral personnel lacked substance.
“It is a disservice to the evolving Nigerian democracy and sacrifice of the security personnel for the CLEEN Foundation report to assert that.
“It is also saddening for the CLEEN Foundation report to attribute the death of a police officer, DSP Mohammed in the course of duty to what the report termed ‘unwarranted use of force and shooting.
“It is a brazen display of insensitivity to the fallen officer and disrespect to the family.
“Non-Governmental Organisations are our veritable partners; the extent to which they justify funding should not undermine national interest.”
Awunah said Idris wished to reassure Nigerians that enthronement of credible electoral process remained one of the police’s uppermost priorities.
Awunah said: “In addition, the I-G commends the good people of Rivers for the cooperation availed the police and other security agencies in the course of the re-run elections.”