The new Acting Inspector–General of Police, Mr Solomom Arase, on Thursday assured voters of a level playing field during the re-scheduled governorship and State Assembly elections in parts of Abia, Imo and Taraba.
Arase gave the assurance in a brief chat with State House Correspondents after he met with President Goodluck Jonathan at the Aso Rock Villa.
He said he came to brief the president on the massive deployment of personnel and materials for the April 25 supplementary polls in the three states where governorship and Assembly polls were declared inconclusive on April 11.
“Well, first and foremost we still have some elections left in about three states and we are doing some massive deployment of men and materials.
“And that is what I came to brief the Commander-in-Chief about.
“I can assure you that we are going to have a level playing field for people who want to vote on Election Day,’’ he said.
The I-G, however, warned those who might want to foment trouble to shelve the idea as the police were ready to deal with such persons.
“For the deviant, like I said yesterday (when he took over at the Force Headquarters on April 22), will be decisively dealt with,’’ he added.
Arase was announced as replacement for Mr Suleiman Abba who was relieved of his appointment by President Jonathan on April 21.
Until his appointment, the Acting I-G was the Head of the Force Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department.
Arase holds Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Law, as well as Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Political Science and Strategic Studies.
He is also a Fellow of the Nigerian Defence College.
