Inspector General of Police Mohammed Ahmed Alhassan has congratulated his counterpart in Nigeria, Suleiman Abba, for policing peaceful elections.

Africa’s most populous nation went to polls on Saturday, resulting in the election of ex-military ruler General Muhammadu Buhari as the new leader of Nigeria.

He beat incumbent Goodluck Ebele Jonathan by over 500,000 votes.

IGP Alhassan, who is also chairman of the West African Police Chiefs Committee, in a message on behalf of the Committee, congratulated the Nigerian police for the high sense of duty and professionalism exhibited during the elections.

He added that the achievement [of successful elections] is a clear indication of the collective commitment to democratic policing in the sub-region and Africa in general to safeguard lives and property.

Though there were pockets of violence in some areas, the elections were generally described as peaceful.