The Inspector General of Police (IG), Mr Mohammed Adamu has barred security aides from accompanying VIPs and political appointees during the Sept. 19 governorship election in Edo.

The Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), Mr Frank Mba said this in a statement on Friday in Abuja.

He said the IG had warned that anyone who flouted the order would be severely reprimanded.

Mba said the I-G had also deployed the Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) in charge of Research and Planning, Mr Adeleye Oyabade to supervise the general security arrangement for the election.

“The DIG, with the assistance of the AIG, will superintend over the entire security architecture and ensure effective monitoring of the election and due enforcement of all electoral laws during the election,” he said.

He said the arrangement was in line with efforts of the police at ensuring apt coordination of security arrangements towards a hitch free election in the state.

The FPRO said the I-G had charged officers and men on election duties in the state to ensure they work in line with standard best practices and adhere strictly with the approved Code of Conduct and Rules of Engagement for the elections.

He said the I-G called on members of the public, particularly politicians, gubernatorial candidates and other relevant stakeholders in the state to cooperate with the police and other security agencies.

He said the call was to assist the security agencies to perform their patriotic task of guaranteeing a hitch free governorship poll in the state

SaharaReporters learnt that the crew members including his personal stylist and bodyguard are held down in Lagos over their inability to secure a date for an interview at the US Embassy.

A source told SaharaReporters that Nigerians aspiring to travel out of the country to the US now buy visa interview dates at the rate of N500,000 to N1million.

“Look at how US Embassy is messing Nigerians up, To get appointment is now up to you able to settle guys up to N500,000 per person, Some N1million depends on how desperate you are,” he said.

He continued, “It is rather unfortunate having gone all the way with so many expenditures involved just to appeal for a reasonable closer date for visa appointments in the US Consulate but all to no avail, for a certain number of well-respected citizens of Nigeria who happen to be the most integral crew to the star musician, Ayodeji Balogun, known as Wizkid.

“Even after being fully aware of the commencement of his Made in Lagos tour, slated for 10th September to 17th of October 2021; his tour which commenced on the 10th of September 2021 has depicted a rather low performance so far as he is unable to fully function without his full team managing stage production.

“The tour currently is ongoing at the northern part of the United State of America. It is not news to the U.S government; the large volume of revenue to be generated even after taxes have been remitted; the exposure that will be given to all cities that Wizkid is likely to touch down at.

“After so much back and forth appeals to settle for the nearest date to close the already existing loopholes, the fairest date issued is September 21. This is rather a scenario of serving medicine after death. One will wonder why it costs an arm, a leg and even a foot just for Nigerians to obtain reasonable visa appointments dates, while the reverse is the case for foreigners as the majority get to have their visas upon arrival and the case is closed.

“His personal stylist is still here in Nigeria, Close bodyguard is here, Saxophonist is here and others. So far, his performance has dropped. It’s so sad.”

Another source told SaharaReporters that the star musician could be in the US without his crew members till the end of the tour going by the “inefficiency of the US Embassy.”