The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba on Wednesday, February 22, 2023, ordered the restriction of vehicular movement and withdrawal of VIP aides, escorts, State security outfits, vigilante group from participating in the Saturday, February 25 election day.
The IGP also, banned all the security aides attached to the politicians from following them while urging the citizens to be law abiding, assuring them of unhindered exercise of electoral franchise
Force Spokesperson, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, in a statement on Wednesday, in Abuja, said due to the forthcoming elections on Saturday, February 25, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, ordered a restriction of all forms of vehicular movement on the roads, waterways, and other forms of transportation.
According to the statement, the restrictions would start from 12 midnight to 6 pm in the evening of the election day.
Those on essential services such as INEC Officials, Electoral Observers, Ambulances responding to medical emergencies, firefighters, etc, are exempted from the restrictions.
Adejobi explained that the order was part of the measures emplaced to ensure a safe, secure, and conducive environment for the conduct of the elections.
He stressed out that it was 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.
Adejobi inferred that the IGP 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 would be severely sanctioned.
He reiterated that only security personnel specifically assigned to election duties are to be seen within and around the designated election booths and centres.
Adejobi further warned that the ban on the unauthorized use of sirens, revolving lights, covered number plates, and tinted glasses is still in force.
He strictly said that the violators of the orders would be sanctioned appropriately, adding that all the State-established and owned security outfits and organizations, quasi-security units, and privately-owned guard and security outfits were also barred from participating in election security management.
However, the IGP, charged 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 would leave no stone unturned in ensuring that all violators of extant laws, most especially the Electoral Act 2022 (as amended), are brought to book.
According to Adejobi, the Nigeria Police Force, 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’.
He stated that the App is 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.
According to him, other joint operations and election situation room numbers would be released by all State Police Commands respectively, for emergency contact.
The full statement reads:
“Consequent to the first part of the 2023 General Elections – the Presidential and National Assembly Elections – scheduled to hold on Saturday 25th February 2023 across all States of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, psc(+), NPM, NEAPS, fdc, CFR, 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.
“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.
“Similarly, 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/organizations, quasi-security units, and privately-owned guard and security outfits are also barred from participating in election security management.
“While empathizing with well-meaning citizens on the inconveniences the restriction may cause, the IGP urges all active electorates to be law-abiding and turn out en masse to exercise their franchise.
“He however warns 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 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 Nigeria Police Force, therefore, urges 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. Similarly, other joint operations/election situation room numbers will be released by all State Police Commands respectively, for emergency contact.”
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