Ahead of the by-elections and rerun in 26 states on Saturday, the Inspector General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun, has ordered restriction of all forms of vehicular movement on roads, waterways, and other forms of transportation from 12 am to 6 pm.
The affected states are Ebonyi, Yobe, Kebbi, Lagos, Ondo, Taraba, Benue, Borno, Kaduna, Plateau and Akwa Ibom.
Others are Anambra, Cross River, Delta, Enugu, Jigawa, Katsina, Adamawa, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Kano, Nasarawa, Niger, Oyo, Sokoto, and Zamfara.
The movement restriction is in exclusion of those on essential duties such as officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission, election observers, ambulances responding to medical emergencies, and firefighters, accredited journalists, among others.
According to the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, in a statement on Thursday, the IG also place a ban on all security aides to VIPs and escorts from accompanying their principals and politicians to polling booths and collation centres during the election.
He also stated that state-established and owned security outfits and organisations, quasi-security units, and privately owned guard and security outfits are also barred from participating in election security management.
It reads, “The Inspector General of Police, Okukayode Egbetokun, has ordered the restriction of all forms of vehicular movement on roads, waterways, and other forms of transportation from 12 am to 6 pm on election day in all states where elections will be conducted.
“Except those on essential services such as INEC officials, electoral observers, accredited media and observers both foreign and domestic, ambulances responding to medical emergencies, firefighters, etc., during the upcoming 2024 run-off and bye-elections scheduled to take place across 26 states on Saturday, February 3, 2024.
The movement restrictions, including the ban on VIP aides, escorts, and state security outfits, are crucial measures aimed at preventing any undue interference or intimidation during the electoral process. The IG emphasizes that these restrictions are implemented to safeguard the integrity of the elections and guarantee equal participation for all citizens of the affected states.
“The IG urges political parties, candidates, and their supporters to conduct themselves responsibly and by the electoral laws, as any attempt to disrupt the electoral process or violate the established guidelines will be met with the full force of the law.”
