The Akwa Ibom state police command has deployed 9210 policemen to all the polling units, flashpoints and collation centres for Saturday’s elections in the state.
The command assured the people of the state that adequate security measures had been put in place for a peaceful exercise across the 31 local government areas.
The command warned that it would not tolerate any breach of peace during the elections.
In a statement by the command’s public relations officer, Odiko Macdon, on Friday in Uyo, the state capital, the command similarly announced restriction of movement of persons and vehicles from 6am to 6pm of Saturday, February 23, and Saturday, March 9, 2019.
The statement read in part: “In view of the rescheduled 2019 general elections, the Akwa Ibom state police command wishes to remind the general public that the command has put in place adequate security measures for a peaceful exercise across the 31 local government areas of Akwa Ibom state.
“For the purpose of effective policing, the Command has deployed 9210 Policemen and sister security agencies to all the polling units, collation centres, and flash points across the state.
“The police command wishes to remind the general public that movement of persons and vehicles across the State will be restricted from 6:00am to 6:00pm of Saturday, February 23, 2019, and Saturday, March 9, 2019, except persons on essential duties who must carry their valid identification cards.
“All Akwa Ibomites are advised to adhere strictly to this restriction order as violators will be dealt with in accordance with extant laws.”
The statement further advised voters to conduct themselves “in an orderly and peaceful manner during and after the exercise as the command is prepared to deal decisively with anyone bent on causing any form of violence or a breach of the peace before, during and after the elections.”
