Ahead of the general elections set to commence this weekend, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba has ordered restriction of all forms of movement beginning from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. on election days.
The restriction covers vehicular movement on roads, waterways, and other forms of transportation, with the exception of those on essential services such as INEC Officials, Electoral Observers, Ambulances responding to medical emergencies, firefighters, and the likes.
According to the Police Force, 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.
The IGP also 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.
He emphasised that only security personnel specifically assigned to election duties are to be seen within and around the designated election booths and centres.