The Nigeria Police Force, has on Wednesday night, cleared the air on the Police helicopter and vehicle in a picture which went viral on the social media, alleging to have been used to carry cash and sensitive election materials in Kwara State, to rig election in the State.
In a Press statement, which was signed by the Force Public Relations Officer, Ag. DCP, Jimoh Moshood, which was sent to Post-Nigeria, the Police stated categorically, that the Police helicopter and vehicle in the picture being circulated, were not used to convey cash, and that the vehicle does not belong to Mr. Tunji Ajuloopin, the All Progressives Congress, APC, Candidate in the bye-election, as claimed in the report making the rounds.
The Police statement reads in full:
The Nigeria Police Force wishes to implore the General Public and the Media, to disregard and discountenance a publication in some social media platforms, that an Helicopter belonging to the Nigeria Police Force that landed at ST. PAUL PRIMARY SCHOOL, OMUARAN, Kwara State, off- loaded cash into a vehicle belonging to Mr. Tunji Ajuloopin, the APC Candidate for the bye-election in EKITI/IREPODUN/ISIN/OKE-ERO Federal Constituency, as untrue and mischievous, aimed to mislead and misinformed the Public.
The Force categorically wishes to let the public be aware that the Police Helicopter and vehicle in the picture being circulated, were not used to convey any Cash, and the vehicle does not belong to Mr. Tunji Ajuloopin, as claimed in the report or to any other Politician.
For avoidance of doubt, Police Helicopters deployed for the Saturday, 17th November, 2018 Bye-Election Surveillance patrols and support services, to ensure secure environment for the bye-election to fill the vacant Seat in EKITI/IREPODUN/OKE-ERO/ISIN Federal Constituency in Kwara State, have commenced flights in and out of Kwara South, Kwara State, on Surveillance patrol and the Airlift of Police Officers for the Election.
This is what was captured on camera and mischievously released to the public. To set the record straight once again, there was no cash off-loaded to any vehicle at OMUARAN. The Force sees the report as desperate and deliberate blackmail to misinform the public, which should be discouraged by all. Members of the public, most especially Electorates, are hereby enjoined to disregard the Publication.
The renewed commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to ensure adequate security for a free, fair and credible election in country, remains unwavering.
Ag. DCP JIMOH MOSHOOD
FORCE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER
FORCE HEADQUARTERS