Elections: IGP restricts movement, bans VIP escorts

The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Usman Baba, has announced the total restriction of all vehicular movements during February 25, 2023, elections from 12:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

The IGP made the declaration via a statement issued on Wednesday by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, noting that the restriction would be observed nationwide.

Baba, however, said the restriction order exempts those on essential services such as INEC officials, election observers, ambulances, and firefighters responding to medical emergencies.

He stated that the restriction was part of measures emplaced to ensure a safe, secure, and conducive environment for the conduct of the 2023 general election.

The IGP noted that the restriction would help to ensure proper public order management, safety of the electorate, and effective policing, adding that it was targeted at preventing hoodlums and criminals from disrupting the electoral process.

Baba also barred security aides and escorts from accompanying their principals to polling booths and collation centres during the election, noting that anyone found flouting the directive will be severely sanctioned.

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“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, organizations, quasi-security units, and privately-owned guards and security outfits are also barred from participating in election security management,” he said.

The IGP further urged the electorate to be law-abiding and turn out en masse to exercise their franchise.

Baba, however, warned that the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) would deal decisively with anyone that would want to test the common resolve and might of the police to ensure a peaceful election.

He enjoined citizens to shun vote buying, vote selling, hate speech, misinformation and disinformation, snatching of ballot boxes, and other criminal acts, adding that the police and other security agencies would ensure that all violators of extant laws, including the Electoral Act, were brought to book.

The IGP also enjoined Nigerians to contact the Police 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.

Baba said other joint operations and election situation room numbers would be released by all Police Commands nationwide.

The Star