2023: Police place restriction on vehicular movement for Feb. 25 polls, ban VIP escorts
Ahead of the Saturday, February 25 Presidential and National Assembly elections across the country, the Nigeria Police have announced total restriction of all vehicular movements during the scheduled elections from 12:00 am to 6:00 pm.
A statement by the police spokesperson, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, Wednesday, in Abuja said the restriction would be observed nationwide.
He however said the restriction order exempts those on essential services such as INEC officials, election observers, ambulances and firefighters responding to medical emergencies.
Adejobi said the order was part of measures emplaced to ensure a safe, secure and conducive environment for the conduct of the elections, adding that the restrictions would help to ensure proper public order management, safety of electorates and effective policing.
The police spokesperson added that it was also targeted at preventing hoodlums and criminal minded elements from disrupting the electoral process.
According to him, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Usman Baba had also barred security aides and escorts from accompanying their principals to polling booths and collation centres during the election.
According to him, anyone found flouting the directive will be severely sanctioned.
“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 unauthorised 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 guards and security outfits are also barred from participating in election security management,” he said.
The police boss regretted the inconveniences the movement restriction would cause well meaning Nigerians, as he urged active electorates to be law abiding and turn out en masse to exercise their franchise.
He, however, warned that the force would deal decisively with anyone that would want to test the common resolve and might of the police to ensure a peaceful election, as he further enjoined citizens to shun vote buying, vote selling, hate speech, misinformation and disinformation, snatching of ballot boxes and other criminal acts.
