’12am to 6pm’ — IGP orders restriction of vehicular movement on election day

Usman Baba, the inspector-general of police (IGP), has ordered the restriction of vehicular movement across the country on the day of the presidential election.

Muyiwa Adejobi, force spokesperson, in a statement on Wednesday, said the restriction will be from 12am to 6pm.

The presidential and national assembly elections are scheduled for February 25.

“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 statement reads.

“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 added that only security operatives on election duty are to be seen around voting centres, adding that the ban on “unauthorised use of sirens, revolving lights, covered number plates, and tinted glasses is still in force”.

Meanwhile, all state-owned security outfits/organisations, quasi-security units, and privately-owned guard outfits have also been barred from carrying out security-related duties during the elections.

“While empathising 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,” the statement reads.

“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.”

Members of the public have been asked to contact the police via the ‘NPF Rescue Me’ mobile phone application or through the ‘NPF Rescue Me’ emergency toll-free line on 08031230631 to report suspicious activities.