The Nigeria Police Force have agreed to change the Commissioner of Police in Imo State, Mohammed Barde, before the off-season elections scheduled for Saturday, November 11.
This decision came after several groups, including the Nigerian Labour Congress, the Trade Union Congress, the Labour Party, and Civil Society Organisations, accused Barde of being biased and demanded his redeployment.
The Inspector-General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun, announced the move on Sunday night during a Channels Television programme themed, “Peoples Town Hall On Election Security.”
He said, “We are aware that there are allegations against the Commissioner of Police in Imo. Before the elections, we’re changing the CP. This is not to say the CP has been found guilty. But for neutrality sake, we’re changing the Commissioner of Police in Imo State.”
The organised labour had issued a five-day ultimatum for the removal of Barde after the President of the NLC, Joe Ajaero, was attacked and brutalised in Owerri, the Imo State capital, last Thursday. Ajaero was leading a protest over the unpaid salaries of workers when he was assaulted.
The Labour Party also supported the call for the immediate redeployment of Barde and other officials allegedly involved in the attack on Ajaero.
