The Inspector General of Police, IGP Usman Baba, has ordered restriction of movement during Saturday’s Presidential and National Assembly elections to ensure a safe, secure, and conducive environment for the conduct of elections.
The police boss also barred security aides and escorts from accompanying their principals and politicians to polling booths and collation centres; just as state-established and owned security outfits/organisations, quasi-security units, and private guard and security outfits were also barred from participating in election security management.
Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, disclosed this in a press statement, Wednesday in Abuja.
It read in part, “Consequent to the first part of the 2023 general elections, the Presidential and National Assembly elections, scheduled to hold on Saturday, February 25, 2023 across all states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), 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 am to 6 pm on election day.”
The spokesperson, however, noted that the ban was with the exception of those on essential services such as INEC officials, election observers, ambulances responding to medical emergencies, firefighters, among others.
According to Adejobi, “The order, which is part of measures emplaced 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 in effective policing, thereby preventing hoodlums and criminally-minded elements from disrupting the electoral process.”
He further stated that, “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/organisations, quasi-security units, and privately-owned guard and security outfits are also barred from participating in election security management.”
He said the IGP while empathising with well-meaning citizens on the inconveniences the restriction may cause urged all active electorates to be law-abiding and turn out en masse to exercise their franchise.
The police boss, however, warned that the Force would 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, 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 FPRO added.
He also urged 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 spokesperson said other joint operations/election situation room numbers would be released by all State Police Commands for emergency contact.