…Warns: “Anyone found flouting this directive will be severely sanctioned”
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The Nigerian Police Force has banned its officers and other security operatives attached to governors, ministers, and other government functionaries from escorting their principals to polling units in the 2023 elections.
Warning that “Anyone found flouting this directive will be severely sanctioned,” the NPF also ordered movement restriction for the first part of the 2023 General Elections: the Presidential and National Assembly Elections.
Issuing the warning on Wednesday night, the Force headquarters announced that the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, additionally ordered no movement on roads, waterways, and other modes of transportation, from 12noon to 6pm on election day.
Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Muyiwa Adejobi, emphasizing this in a statement, said those on essential services, such as Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials, observers, ambulances, firefighters, etc. are exempted.
The FPRO noted that the directive is part of measures put in place to ensure a safe, secure, and conducive environment for the conduct of the polls.
According to him, the security agencies were collaborating to prevent hoodlums and criminally-minded elements from disrupting the electoral process, adding that the IGP had warned security aides and escorts against accompanying their principals and politicians to polling booths and collation centres.
“Anyone found flouting this directive will be severely sanctioned. Only security personnel assigned to election duties are to be seen within and around the designated election booths and centres,” the statement further reads.
Adejobi, additionally, said the ban on use of sirens, revolving lights, covered number plates, and tinted glasses is still in force, adding that violators would be sanctioned appropriately.
The NPF further ordered all state-established security outfits/organizations, quasi-security units, and privately-owned guards to stay away from the national exercise, urging the general public to contact the Joint Election Monitoring and Operations Room and use the Rescue Me Emergency Toll-free line 08031230631 to report emergencies./SHARE THIS