Nigeria 2011: Mass transfer of police commissioners ahead of polls

Lagos, Nigeria (PANA) - Nigeria's Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Hafiz Ringim has ordered a mass transfer of Commissioners of Police in most of the country's 36 states, ahead of Saturday's start of the 2011 general elections.

Mr. Ringim said on national television that the transfer was aimed at ensuring “violent-free, clean, clear, nationally acceptable general election.”

He said the transfers affected both the Commissioners suspected to have become partisan and those without complaints against them.

Police spokesman Yemi Ajayi said the IGP notified the commissioners of their redeployment during the close-door meeting he held with them on Friday in Abuja.

''At the last meeting the IG had with officers of the rank of CPs and above, he told them that he had received so many complaints against many of them either from governors or politicians. The redeployment could be the outcome of such a meeting,” he said.

Some 73.5 million Nigerians will vote on Saturday to elect new federal lawmakers.

A new President will be elected 9 April as well as state lawmakers and governors on 16 April.
-0- PANA SEG 29March2011