Ahead of Saturday’s by-elections in 13 states across the Federation, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, has ordered watertight security in the affected states to provide an enabling environment for free and fair elections.

This was contained in a statement issued in Abuja on Friday by the Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Olumuyiwa Adejobi.

According to the statement, “In order to ensure smooth elections, the IGP has directed the deployment of senior officers of the rank of Assistant Inspector-General of Police and Commissioners of Police to assist State Commissioners of Police in ensuring proper supervision of the electoral process for a smooth and hitch-free exercise.

“Officers and men of the Police Mobile Force, Special Intervention Squad, Force Intelligence Department, and other tactical units have also been deployed.”

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The statement further explained that the Police boss had ordered the restriction of all forms of vehicular movement on roads, waterways, and other means of transportation, from 12 a.m. to 6 p.m. on election day within the affected Local Government Areas, with the exception of those on essential services, including INEC officials, accredited media and electoral observers, ambulances responding to medical emergencies, and firefighters.

It added that the IGP reiterated the ban on all security aides to VIPs and escorts from accompanying their principals and politicians to polling booths and collation centres during the election. State-established and state-owned security outfits, quasi-security units, and privately owned guards are also barred from participating in election security management.

The IGP charged all officers deployed for this special duty to ensure compliance with the Force’s standard operational protocols for elections, and further urged all citizens to be law-abiding during and after the polls. He assured that all necessary security arrangements have been put in place to ensure their right to vote remains unobstructed.

NIGERIAN TRIBUNE