IGP orders nationwide restriction of movement on election day

Ahead of Saturday’s Presidential poll, the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, has ordered a restriction of all forms of vehicular movement on roads, waterways, and other forms of transportation, from 12 am to 6 pm on election day.

However, essential service providers are exempted such as INEC Officials, Electoral Observers, the press, Ambulances responding to medical emergencies, and firefighters, amongst others.

The force spokesman, CSP Muyiwa Adejobi, said “the IGP sternly warns all security aides and escorts to desist from accompanying their principals and politicians to polling booths and collation centres during the election as anyone found flouting this directive will be severely sanctioned. He emphasizes that only security personnel specifically assigned to election duties are to be seen within and around the designated election booths and centres.

“Also, the ban on the unauthorized use of sirens, revolving lights, covered number plates, and tinted glasses is still in force, and violators would be sanctioned appropriately. All State-established and owned security outfits/organizations, quasi-security units, and privately-owned guard and security outfits are also barred from participating in election security management.”

The measure is put in place to ensure a safe, secure, and conducive environment for the conduct of elections is aimed at ensuring public order management, the safety of electorates, as well as assisting the security agencies’ ineffective policing, thereby preventing hoodlums and criminally-minded elements from disrupting the electoral process.

The Force further enjoined citizens to shun vote buying, vote selling, and other nefarious activities.

He said, “The IGP, therefore, enjoins all citizens to shun vote buying, vote selling, hate speech, misinformation, and disinformation, snatching of ballot boxes, and other criminal act(s) as the Force and other security agencies will leave no stone unturned in ensuring that all violators of extant laws, most especially the Electoral Act 2022 (as amended), are brought to book.

“The Nigeria Police Force, therefore, urges all members of the public to contact the Nigeria Police Force and the Joint Election Monitoring and Operations Room domiciled at the Force Headquarters, Abuja, via the ‘NPF Rescue Me App’ available on Android and ios, or via the NPF Rescue Me Emergency Toll-free line on 08031230631 to report suspicious persons, activities or request security response. Similarly, other joint operations/election situation room numbers will be released by all State Police Commands respectively, for emergency contact.”