The newly posted Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 2, Joseph Mbu, on Thursday declared that the elections in his zone will be “fire for fire” if politicians play any pranks.
The controversial police boss made the declaration at a meeting with police of the Ogun State Command at its Eleweran Headquarters, Abeokuta.
Mr. Mbu instructed his men to be battle-ready for the election and warned politicians to have a second thought over any planned criminal act.
He said if any of his men were shot, no less than twenty civilians would pay for it.
“If one of my men is killed, I shall kill twenty of them but don’t shoot first,” Mr. Mbu said. “If they shoot you, shoot back in self-defence. Anybody who fires you, fire him back in self-defence.”
He told his men that they were the only authority that has power to arrest, before, during and after elections.
He noted that it was not compulsory for the police officers to greet even a governor who comes to vote.
“You have the power to stop the governor,” he said. “We are in a critical period. We are not para-military. We must be bold and brave. Keep an eagle eye on everybody. We are authorised by the constitution to arrest before, during and after election. Our role is to ensure free, fair and violence free election.”
Mr. Mbu came to national limelight following his public squabbles with the Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi while Mr. Mbu was a police commissioner in the state.
Mr. Amaechi accused Mr. Mbu of plotting to kill him and called the AIG a tool of the Presidency.