[BREAKING] Bayelsa election: Dozens of protesters demand removal of state police commissioner

Dozens of women protesters have besieged the police command in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa state capital, to demand the removal of the commissioner of Police, Tolani Alausa.

According to the protesters, Alausa’s removal would ensure the neutrality of the police and ensure nonviolent election in Bayelsa State.

The women, dressed in black attires, urged President Bola Tinubu and the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to ensure that the votes of the people count.

One of the women, Alice Daniels said: “All we are asking for is a violent-free election in the state.

“Can’t we just vote for our preferred candidate in peace? We want a non-violent exercise. The police should protect the people and allow us to vote who we want.

“This shouldn’t be like other elections where people manipulate elections,” Ms Daniels said.

Another protester, Timitimi Ebipador, a human rights activist, urged the police and other security agencies to “properly oversee” the election process.

She said: “We are appealing to you for the conduct of a peaceful election, we want an exercise devoid of violence.

“You are responsible for the provision of security of our lives; that should be your duty, not interfering in the election itself.

“We beg you to protect us, we want our husbands, children and even brothers safe after the exercise.

“We have experienced it on several occasions. In 2019 and 2015 it was marred by violence and till this moment nobody was prosecuted and jailed for the violence.”

The protesters were received by Sokari Pedro, a deputy inspector general of police, who assured them of a peaceful election on Saturday.