In preparation for the upcoming elections scheduled to hold on Saturday, February 25, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Usman Baba has ordered a restriction of all forms of vehicular movement except those on essential services and also banned police escorts from following their principals and politicians to polling booths. This was made known on Wednesday in a statement issued by the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi.
The statement reads, “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, the 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 with the exception of those on essential services such as INEC officials, electoral observers, ambulances responding to medical emergencies, firefighters, etc.”
According to him, the measure was necessary to ensure public order management and the safety of electorates to provide a secure and conducive environment for the conduct of elections.
Adejobi further said, “Similarly, the IGP sternly warns all security aides and escorts to desist from accompanying their principals and politicians to polling booths and collation centers 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 glass is still in force, and violators would be sanctioned appropriately.
“All state-established and owned security outfits/organizations, quasi-security units, and privately-owned guard and security outfits are also barred from participating in election security management.”
Adejobi added, “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.”
He urged members of the public to report suspicious individuals, activities or request security response through the Joint Election Monitoring and Operations Room domiciled at the Force Headquarters, Abuja, via the NPF Rescue Me App available on both Android and iOS or via the NPF Rescue Me Emergency Toll-free line on 08031230631.
Adejobi also stated, “Similarly, other joint operations/election situation room numbers will be released by all state police commands respectively, for emergency contact.”
