The police chief also reaffirmed the prohibition against any security personnel accompanying Very Important Persons (VIPs) and escorting politicians to polling places and counting centres during the election.
The Inspector General of Police, Usman Baba, has directed the restriction of all vehicular movement on roads, waterways, and other modes of transportation ahead of Saturday’s additional voting in 2,660 polling places across the nation.
The ban is in effect on Saturday from 12 a.m. to 5 p.m. in 24 states, according to the IGP’s order, which was detailed in a statement released on Friday by the Force’s spokesman, Muyiwa Adejobi.
Officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), electoral observers, accredited media, ambulances responding to medical emergencies, and firefighters are exempt from this rule.
The police chief also reaffirmed the prohibition against any security personnel accompanying Very Important Persons (VIPs) and escorting politicians to polling places and counting centres during the election.
“State-established and owned security outfits and organisations, quasi-security units, and privately-owned guard and security outfits are also prohibited from participating in election security management,” the statement read.
Adamawa, Kebbi, Sokoto, Zamfara, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bayelsa, Edo, Imo, Kano, Kogi, Oyo, Rivers, Taraba, Jigawa, Ebonyi, Ekiti, Kaduna, Niger, Ogun, Yobe, Katsina, and Enugu are the affected states.
Baba also called on “all citizens to be law-abiding during and after the elections, even as he assures that all necessary security arrangements have been put in place to ensure they exercise their franchise unhindered”.
He also urged the “general public to contact the Nigeria Police Force Headquarters via 08033440189 (DIG Operations), 08033027731 (AIG FEDOPS), and 08034040439 (CP Elections), the ‘NPF Rescue Me App’ on Android and iOS, and the NPF Rescue Me Emergency Toll-free Line on 08031230631, to request an emergency security response.
“Similarly, other election situation room numbers that have been shared on Nigeria Police social media platforms will be repeatedly released by concerned State Police Commands for necessary emergency contact.”
