Police order restriction of movements in Ebonyi LGAs for supplementary polls

The police command in Ebonyi has ordered the restriction of movements in the seven LGAs of the state ahead of the April 15 supplementary polls.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has scheduled the elections on Saturday to conclude the governorship, state houses of assembly, house of representatives, and senatorial elections in places where they were previously suspended.

The polls will hold in five senatorial districts, 31 federal constituencies, and 58 state constituencies in the country.

In a statement on Friday, Onome Onovwakpoyeya, the command PRO, said Faleye Olayele, the state commissioner of police, said the restriction of all vehicular movements is from 12 midnight on Friday to 6 pm on Saturday across all the seven LGAs.

He said the restrictions were in line with the directives of the inspector-general of police.

“The affected local government areas are Abakaliki, Afikpo North, Afikpo South, Ezza North, Ezza South, Ikwo, and Ivo,” the statement reads.

“This order exempts those on essential services such as election observers, accredited media, ambulances, firefighters, etc.

“Members of the public are seriously warned to adhere strictly to this restriction order and any person or group of persons found instigating violence or violating this order will be dealt with decisively.”

The commissioner also assured residents that the police would collaborate effectively with other agencies and the INEC to ensure safety at the polls.