LG Polls: Rivers Police Restrict Movement

The Rivers State Police Command has banned human and vehicular movement for the purpose of the Local Government Council elections in the state, billed for tomorrow.

The restriction order announced by the Police begins from 10.00 p.m. today and thereafter commenced at 9.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m.  tomorrow.

The state commissioner of Police, CP Suleiman Abba pronounced the ban while briefing newsmen last Wednesday in Port Harcourt.

According to him, the restriction order is to enable the police check the activities of people who have the interest to cause trouble during the election as well as enable the force complete its deployment arrangements for election duties.

The state Police boss warned that his men have been directed to deal decisively with any person found contravening the restriction of movement order no matter how highly placed the person is.

He however, announced that vehicles on essential duties,  Medicals, Fire Service, accredited Election Observers and Journalists are not affected by the ban as long as they do not contravene the provisions of the Electoral Act.

Also excluded from the restriction order are prospective candidates writing the Nigerian Navy Secondary School Borikiri Entrance Examination on the election day adding that parents and guardians conveying such pupils will only be allowed to pass security check points upon presenting the candidate’s examination slip.

He disclosed that about 20,000 security and law enforcement personnel which includes the Police, Prison Service, Customs, Immigration, NDLEA, FRSC and NSCDC will be engaged during the election.

The state police chief assured that the security and law enforcement agencies will provide the enabling environment for all the political parties during and after the Saturday’s election in the state.

He warned political parties and their supporters that canvassing or soliciting for voters during the election is prohibited as well as being in possession of offensive weapons within the polling units.

The state Police boss noted that the chairmanship and councillorship elections are very important to the state and urged all the stakeholders to cooperate with the security operatives during the election.

He used the opportunity to thank Rivers people for their support during the last general elections in the state and appealed for the same support during the forthcoming local government elections.

Emmanuella Azubuike