*Ahead of the 2027 general elections, the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone 8 Headquarters, Lokoja, AIG Betty Enekpen Isokpan Otimenyin, has warned officers and men of the Kwara State Police Command against partisanship and political inducement.
Speaking during her operational inspection tour of the Kwara Command at the Police Headquarters on Thursday, AIG Otimenyin said officers must remain neutral and professional as political campaigns begin and police personnel are deployed for election security duties.
“This is the period of election and campaign has started, so you will be posted across. So we are saying, don’t become a politician, don’t be partisan.
“What you are posted to do is security. Politicians will promise you heaven and earth, but when problems come, they won’t be there for you. Don’t be the one campaigning for any party and don’t be the one teaching people who to vote for,” she added.
The AIG cautioned that any officer who allows himself to be used by politicians would be left to face the consequences alone, stressing that the Force would not shield those who compromise its neutrality.
She used the occasion to re-emphasize the reform agenda of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, noting that policing has shifted from master-servant relationship to community partnership.
“The new face of police is about being professional. You are not the master and the people are not your servants; they are your community. The new face of police is not about extortion,” she said.
AIG Otimenyin also warned against brutality and human rights abuses, which she described as “Dracula policing.”
“You must be a reflection of what your boss is doing as the IG himself is a diligent and committed individual. When you embarrass yourself, it’s not only you, you are embarrassing the force. Leave that Dracula policing where you torture unduly. The IG frowns against such,” she stated.
She commended the Kwara Command for maintaining good public image and urged officers to sustain the goodwill.
“We want the good response we are getting from Kwara to continue,” she said.