By Olushola Okunlade
…As IGP Calls on Citizens to Adhere to Rule of Law, Assures of Free Exercise of Voting Rights
The Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM, has ordered a significant deployment of security personnel and strict enforcement of movement restrictions across 26 states where run-off and bye-elections are scheduled to take place.
This directive aims to ensure a peaceful and secure electoral process.
The restriction includes all forms of vehicular movement on roads, waterways, and other forms of transportation from midnight to 6:00 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 affected 26 states include Ebonyi, Yobe, Kebbi, Lagos, Ondo, Taraba, Benue, Borno, Kaduna, Plateau, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Cross River, Delta, Enugu, Jigawa, Katsina, Adamawa, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Kano, Nasarawa, Niger, Oyo, Sokoto, and Zamfara.
IGP Egbetokun also ordered a ban on all security aides to VIPs and escorts from accompanying their principals and politicians to polling booths and collation centers during the election. State-established and owned security outfits and organizations, quasi-security units, and privately owned guard and security outfits are also barred from participating in election security management.
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 IGP 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 IGP 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.
The Inspector General of Police reiterates the commitment of the Force to fostering a secure and democratic society, and therefore encourages citizens to report any suspicious activities or incidents that may undermine the electoral process to the appropriate authorities via the following phone numbers; 08034040439 (CP Elections); 08031230631 (Toll-Free); 08057000001, 08057000002 (Complaint Response Unit); @ngpolice (Facebook); @PoliceNG (X); pressforabuja@police.gov.ng (e-mail).
The IGP expresses confidence that, through collective efforts, the upcoming run-off and bye-elections will be conducted peacefully, transparently, and in line with the principles of democracy.
