- set similar surveillance for Ondo South bye-election
- DIG, AIG lead security operations in Ekiti
- Vehicular movements restricted today in election territories
As voters head to the polls in Ekiti State and the Ondo South Senatorial District today, the police have announced restrictions on movement and deployed massive security personnel to ensure peaceful and credible elections.
In Ekiti State, the Police Command declared a total restriction on vehicular movement from 12 midnight to 6pm on Saturday across all intra-state and inter-state roads.
The command said the measure aimed at preventing the movement of political thugs and other criminal elements that could disrupt the governorship election.
A statement by the state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Sunday Abutu, said the restriction covers private and commercial vehicles, trucks, tricycles and motorcycles.
The command, however, exempted students sitting for national examinations, as well as officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission, accredited journalists, election observers, medical personnel, emergency responders and other essential service providers carrying valid identification and clearance tags.
The police also barred VIP movements with armed escorts to polling units and collation centres, while warning that quasi-security groups, vigilantes and volunteer organisations would not be permitted to provide security during the election.
Residents were urged to comply with the directive, while inter-state travellers were advised to use alternative routes.
Meanwhile, the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, has deployed the Supervising Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Fayoade Adegoke Mustapha, and Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Olarenwaju Ogunlowo, to oversee security arrangements for the election.
The senior officers are expected to coordinate security operations and ensure a peaceful, credible and violence-free poll.
Speaking during engagements with security stakeholders, the DIG stressed the need for professionalism, synergy among security agencies and strict adherence to the rule of law.
Ekiti State Commissioner of Police, Abayomi Shogunle, assured residents that adequate personnel and logistics had been deployed to safeguard voters, electoral officials and sensitive materials before, during and after the election.
Similarly, the Ondo State Police Command announced restrictions on vehicular movement across the Ondo South Senatorial District from 6am to 6pm on Saturday ahead of the senatorial bye-election.
The command said the restriction would also apply to transportation on waterways within the affected areas, except for INEC officials, accredited observers, journalists, emergency workers and other authorised personnel on election duty.
Ondo State Commissioner of Police, Felix Ohagwu, said security personnel had been strategically deployed to polling units, collation centres, electoral offices and other vulnerable locations to guarantee a peaceful exercise.
He warned political actors and their supporters against violence, voter intimidation, vote-buying, thuggery and other acts capable of undermining the electoral process, stressing that offenders would be arrested and prosecuted.
Ohagwu added that intelligence gathering, visibility policing, strategic patrols and coordinated operations with other security agencies had been intensified to secure the district before, during and after the bye-election.
The police commands in both states reiterated their commitment to protecting lives and property while ensuring free, fair and credible elections.
The Hope
