Police Order Vehicular Movement Restriction On Election Day

The Inspector-General of Police, Mr Suleiman Abba, has ordered restriction of vehicular movement between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. on March 28 and April 11 general elections.
This is contained in a statement issued yesterday in Abuja by Mr Emmanuel Ojukwu, the Force Public Relations Officer.
“This total restriction of movements order applies to all, except for Ambulances, Fire Service trucks and others on essential duties.
“Consequently, travellers and citizens who intend to use roads on these days and hours are advised to plan alternative times for their travelling,’’ the statement said.
It expressed regret over the inconveniences road users would face but appealed for understanding as the measure was taken in the interest of the nation.
The statement assured that adequate security logistics and manpower had been strategically deployed to achieve a ‘’most conducive elections atmosphere’’.
“In this regard policemen for election duty have been properly trained, briefed and sensitized to their roles as stipulated in the Electoral Act.
 “They are expected to be professional, non-partisan, civil but firm in their approach and relation to the public,’’ it said.
Meanwhile, the Inspector-General of Police (I-G), Mr Suleiman Abba, said he only advised voters to leave polling centres after exercising their franchise but did not order them to leave.
Abba made the clarification in response to a question yesterday before a closed-door meeting with 90 commanders of some special units of the force.
“The police did not ban anyone from the polling units after casting their vote, we only advise people to cast their vote and leave the polling units,’’ he said.
The I-G further explained that he gave the advice as part of security measures to check violence and in line with the Electoral Act.
He, however, said that those who desired to stay and monitor their vote should remain 300 metres away from the centres in line with the act.
Abba charged the commanders comprising 59 Police Mobile Force Squadron commanders, 19 Counter-terrorism Units and 12 Special Protection Unit Commanders to be alive to their responsibilities.
He said that their units would be deployed as intervention teams on election days to respond to any outbreak of violence.
The I-G assured that all necessary measures had been adopted to provide adequate security in the 150,000 polling units across the country, as well as to prevent violence before, during and after voting.
He also said that the units would remain on ground to deal with any possible post-election violence.