In readiness for the upcoming general elections, worried by the rising cases of violence at campaign venues and the volume of small arms in unauthorized hands, the Inspector-General of Police, (IGP) Usman Alkali Baba, has ordered the immediate distribution of additional batches of bullet-proof vests to the 36 state commands and the Federal Capital Territory FCT.

Other items ordered to be distributed include uniforms, kits, accoutrements, and anti-riot equipment comprising bullet-proof vests with armoured plates and ballistic helmets.

Others include long and short-range tear gas for civil disorder management, and stun guns to ensure officers appear in clean uniforms and are well-suited to discharge policing services professionally before, during and after the 2023 General Elections: and for general safety of all and sundry across the country.

The Police Force Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi disclosed this in a statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday explained that the distribution is coming on the heels of the recently procured batch of the items to cater for the welfare of officers.

The decision to equip men and officers of the Force may have been reinforced by recent events in the political environment in the country. But while bulletproof vests could protect a person from a shot to the chest with a pistol, they may not be able to protect against a spray of bullets from an AK47.

There have been various reports of violence at some political gatherings as supporters of rival political parties attacked one another and create upheavals at the rallies. One of the leading political parties in the country was attacked at a campaign rally in Kaduna state state recently while some party faithfuls were also attacked while pasting posters of a presidential candidate in Rivers state on Monday.

There have been threats of reprisal attacks in Edo state when a member of a political party to retaliate the removal of his party’s billboards and posters by the agency of the state government in charge of advertisement and signages.

The Inspector General of Police may also want his men to look good whenever they are on the streets doing legitimate duties and especially when they will be posted out on election duties. The elections are to be observed and watched on major international networks across the globe.