The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Usman Baba has ordered a restriction of all forms of vehicular movement on roads, waterways, and other forms of transportation, from 12:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on election day.
The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, in a statement yesterday, said officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), electoral observers, ambulances responding to medical emergencies, firefighters and other essential services are exempted from the ban.
The West African Pilot News reports that the general election is scheduled to hold on Saturday, February 25 for presidential and nation assembly elections and Saturday, March 11 for governorship and house of assembly elections.
According to Adejobi, the order was to ensure a safe, secure, and conducive environment for the conduct of elections, as well as assisting the security agencies in effective policing, thereby preventing hoodlums and criminally-minded elements from disrupting the electoral process.
Adejobi added, “While empathizing with well-meaning citizens on the inconveniences the restriction may cause, the IGP urges all active electorates to be law-abiding and turn out en masse to exercise their franchise.
“He, however, warns that the Force will deal decisively with any individual(s) or group(s) that might want to test our common resolve and might to ensure a peaceful election.”
The IGP further enjoined 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,” the statement said.
