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IGP Disu Visits Otti, Vows Tough Action Against Election Violence
IGP Disu Visits Otti, Vows Tough Action Against Election Violence
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NVOSI — Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has cautioned political actors to desist from recruiting young people to cause trouble during elections, warning that the Force will deal decisively with anyone caught sponsoring violence.
Disu spoke with reporters on Sunday after meeting Governor Alex Otti at his country home in Nvosi, Isiala Ngwa South.
He said the Police had already rolled out a mix of preventive measures — tougher enforcement, ongoing arrests, training of personnel, and sustained sensitisation — to ensure the build-up to the polls is not marred by thuggery.
The police chief made it clear that the Force would not wait for a presidential directive before acting, insisting that safeguarding internal security remains its core mandate.
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“As a responsible unit in charge of internal security, we do not need to wait for the President to give orders for us to know what to do. We have been doing it,” Disu said.
He revealed that operatives had already picked up suspects in various parts of the country in connection with political violence.
Disu also appealed directly to families, urging parents and guardians to warn their children and wards against serving as foot soldiers for desperate politicians.
“We have told the people elections will come and go. We have advised parents to talk to their children, not to be used as cannon fodder by politicians, because this election will come, people will vote and the election will go,” he said.
“So anybody who loses their child or their children in the election will be the losers,” he added.
According to him, the combination of enlightenment and enforcement was already yielding positive results.
Disu, who was accompanied by his wife, Mrs Olufunmilola Disu, said he came to Abia for the wedding of his police orderly and used the trip to thank Governor Otti for the support given to officers posted to the state.
He said the Commissioner of Police and the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of the zone had briefed him on the governor’s interventions, and pledged that the Force would continue to work to keep residents safe to go about their lawful businesses without fear.
Responding, Governor Otti described Disu’s appointment as well-deserved, praising his professionalism and the promptness with which he responds whenever the state seeks police assistance.
The governor also thanked the IGP for the elevation of the immediate past Commissioner of Police in Abia, Wilfred Afolabi, to Assistant Inspector-General of Police, noting that Afolabi served the state with professionalism and tact.
Otti noted that some of Disu’s close aides hail from Abia, a development he said reflected the national outlook expected of leaders in public office.
He commended the IGP for placing competence and national service above ethnic or regional sentiments in appointments.
“We want to thank you and we want to also encourage everyone to emulate you. Sometimes when we pay so much attention to locality, tribal sentiments and all those things, we forget that we are one and the same people created by God,” Otti said.
He charged public office holders to champion national unity and merit, rather than allow parochial considerations to drive their decisions.
