*Restricts movement from 12am-6am on election day
By Hassan Zaggi
In an effort to ensure secure, free, fair and credible elections expected to march global standard, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has deployed three Deputy Inspectors General of Police (DIGs) to supervise elections in the three affected states.
Speaking at a media briefing on Tuesday, the Force Spokesman, Olumuyiwa Adejobi (ACP), disclosed that the three DIGs deployed to supervise the elections include DIG Frank Emeka Mba in charge of the Department of Training and Development to oversee elections in Imo State; DIG Habu Sani in charge of the Department of Force Intelligence to Kogi State and DIG Daniel Sokari-Pedro, in charge of the Department of Information and Communication Technology to Bayelsa State.
The Force Spokesman also disclosed that the force management has restricted movement of all persons and groups who are not directly involved in the conduct of the elections from 12 midnight on Friday to 6pm on Saturday (the day of the election.)
According to ACP Adejobi, “the IGP has ordered the distribution of an additional 220 operational vehicles, including water canons, Armored Personnel Carriers, gun boats for riverine areas, helmets, bullet proof vests, tear gas canisters etc, to the three affected states to intensify security arrangements for the elections to augment the already deployed assets.
“Also, the IGP has ordered a restriction of all forms of vehicular movement on roads, waterways, and other forms of transportation, from 12.01 am to 6 pm on election day in the affected states with the exception of those on essential services such as INEC Officials, Accredited Electoral Observers, Ambulances responding to medical emergencies, firefighters, media, etc.”
The order, according to ACP Adejobi is part of measures emplaced to ensure a safe, secure, and conducive environment for the conduct of elections.
“It 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.
“On that note, residents and travelers in the neighboring states should note and plan their movements to avoid any untold hardship during the election period,” the Force Spokesman said.
Speaking further, ACP Adejobi disclosed that the IGP has sternly warned 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.
The IGP, according to ACP Adejobi, emphasized 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/organizations, quasi-security units, and privately-owned guard and security outfits are also barred from participating in election security management,” ACP Adejobi said.
He, therefore, advised electorates to be law-abiding and turn out en masse to exercise their franchise.
The IGP, the Force Spokesman said, has warned that the Force will 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 electorates and party supporters and leaders 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 caused to face the full wrath of the law” he said.
While noting that the Force is battle ready to confront merchants of trouble with commensurate force, the Force Spokesman said that the force management has released some emergency numbers for members of the public to call when in distress during the process of the election in the affected states.
The numbers, he revealed, include Joint Operations Room Imo State – 08034773600 or 08113659301; Joint Operations Room Kogi State – 07038329084 and Joint Operations Room Bayelsa State – 07034578208 09167322691.
Other emergency numbers, he said, will be unveiled in the days ahead.
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