The Nigeria Police Force has announced total restriction of all vehicular movements from 12:00 am to 6:00 pm during Saturday's Presidential and National Assembly elections.
This was even as the restriction order exempted workers on essential services such as Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials, election observers, ambulances and firefighters responding to medical emergencies.
A statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi in Abuja revealed that the order was part of measures emplaced to ensure a safe, secure and conducive environment for the conduct of the elections.
He was hopeful that the restriction would aid in public order management, safety of electorates and effective policing.
Adejobi noted that it was also targeted at preventing hoodlums and criminal minded elements from disrupting the electoral process.
The spokesperson hinted that the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba had also embargoed security aides and escorts from accompanying their principals to polling booths and collation centres during the election.
He pointed out that anyone found flouting the directive would 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, organisations, quasi-security units and privately-owned guards and security outfits are also barred from participating in election security management,” he said.
While regretting any inconvenience the restricted movement would cause Nigerians, he pleaded with the electorates to be law abiding and turn out enmasse to exercise their franchise.
He enjoined Nigerians to shun vote buying, vote selling, hate speech, misinformation and disinformation, snatching of ballot boxes and other criminal acts.
Adejobi stated that the police and other security agencies would punish all violators of extant laws, including the Electoral Act.
He encouraged the public to contact the police and Joint Election Monitoring and Operations Room domiciled at the Force Headquarters, Abuja, via the ‘NPF Rescue Me App’, available on Android and iOS.
The spokesperson enjoined the public to dial the NPF Rescue Me Emergency Toll-free line 08031230631 to report suspicious persons, activities or request security response.
He said that other joint operations and election situation room numbers would be released by all police commands nationwide.
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