The Inspector-General of Police (I-G), Mr Kayode Egbetokun has ordered restriction of movements in 26 states, ahead of Saturday’s re-run and by-election.
A statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuywa Adejobi on Thursday in Abuja said the restriction applied to all forms of vehicular movement on roads, waterways and other forms of transportation.
The IGP dclared that the restriction is effective from 12 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Election Day in all the affected states.
He said that the restriction exempted those on essential services, INEC officials, electoral observers, accredited media and observers, both foreign and domestic, ambulances responding to medical emergencies and firefighters.
Egbetokun also ordered a ban on all security aides to VIPs and escorts from accompanying their principals and politicians to polling booths and collation centres during the election.
“State-established and owned security outfits and organisations, quasi-security units and privately owned guard and security outfits are also barred from participating in election.”
He further explained that the movement restriction and the ban are necessary to prevent any undue interference or intimidation during the election,” he said.
The police boss said the idea was to safeguard the integrity of the election and guarantee equal participation for all citizens in the affected states.
He urged political parties, candidates and their supporters to conduct themselves responsibly, in accordance with the electoral laws.
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Egbetokun also emphasized the commitment of the force to decisively dealt with any attempt to disrupt the process or violate the established guidelines of elections.
The I-G pledged the commitment of the police to foster a secured democratic society and enjoined citizens to report suspicious activities or incidents that could undermine the electoral process to the appropriate authorities.
He call on citizens to promptly reach out and report any incident to the policies authorities through 08034040439, CP Elections, 08031230631, Toll-Free, 08057000001, 08057000002, Complaint Response Unit, @ngpolice, Facebook, @PoliceNG, X or [email protected], e-mail.
Egbetokun expressed confidence that through collective efforts, the run-off and by-election would be peaceful, transparent and in line with the principles of democracy.
The states affected included Ebonyi, Yobe, Kebbi, Lagos, Ondo, Taraba, Benue, Borno, Kaduna, Plateau, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Cross River, Delta, Enugu, Jigawa, Katsina, Adamawa, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Kano, Nasarawa, Niger, Oyo, Sokoto, and Zamfara.
, Mr Kayode Egbetokun has ordered restriction of movements in 26 states, ahead of Saturday’s re-run){kind=link}