- By Halimah Olamide
The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has acceded to the demand by various interests groups for the redeployment of the Commissioner of Police for Imo state, Mohammed Barde.
Barde’s posting has come under criticisms especially with the coming governorship election in the state and a recent attack on the President of the Nigerian Labour Congress, Joe Ajaero.
NPO Reports that the Nigerian Labour Congress had while addressing a press conference in Abuja, demanded that the commissioner of police be removed as one of the conditions for peace after the attacks on its president, Joe Ajaero in Owerri, the state capital.
Ajaero was attacked by hoodlums in Owerri while mobilising workers for a protest against the government of Governor Hope Uzodinma. Ajaero, who was brutalised, had also alleged that the attacks on him was carried out by a combined team of hoodlums with the alleged connivance of some policemen. The NLC had also demanded for the removal of the Area Commander in charge of the area. In a statement released by Olumuyiwa Adejobi, Force Spokesman, he said the police boss had ordered that Barde be redeployed to the Force headquarters.
Opposition political parties have also called for the removal of the police command boss citing alleged bia in favour of the ruling party, the All Progressive Congress.
In the police statement, the force said that the redeployment is not an indictment of Mr. Barde, saying this is just a strategic operational move.
“In a pivotal development ahead of the upcoming gubernatorial election in Imo state on 11th November, 2023, the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM, has ordered the redeployment of the Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Mohammed Barde to the Force Headquarters on special duty,” Adejobi said
He explained that the IGP’s decision to reshuffle the CP underscores what he called “the Police Force’s unwavering dedication to upholding the rule of law and maintaining strict neutrality throughout the electoral proceedings.”
He went further, “The IGP is resolute in ensuring that a secure environment is provided for all stakeholders, political parties, candidates, and citizens to participate in the electoral process. He urges all and sundry to cooperate with the Police and other security agencies and adhere to the law in order to ensure a smooth and successful election while maintaining the principles of democracy.