The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, ordered a restriction of all forms of vehicular movement on roads, waterways, and other forms of transportation from 12midnight to 6:00p.m. on election day, with the exception of those on essential services such as, officials of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), electoral observers, press, ambulances responding to medical emergencies and firefighters.

Spokesman of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), CSP Muyiwa Adejobi, who made the disclosure, said: “This directive excludes the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as no election is being conducted therein.

“Similarly, the IGP reiterates 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. 

The army chief, who handed down the charge while addressing formation and unit commanders across the country, commended the troops for their overall performance in the provision of security during the last poll and admonished them to shun all forms of inducement, enticement or cajoling that could compromise the security of the elections, adding that a secure and safe atmosphere must be provided for the citizenry to exercise their civic responsibility of choosing their leaders.  

He urged the commanders to intensify efforts at providing security support for the elections and be ready to respond promptly to any emergency situation, while prioritising the protection of key national infrastructure. 

The COAS equally reminded his commanders of the oath of allegiance they swore to defend the sovereignty of Nigeria and maintained that the Nigerian Army must be seen by all to stand in defence of Nigeria’s democracy.

IGP Baba has warned potential trouble-makers during Saturday’s elections of severe consequences. He gave the warning at the peace accord signing ceremony among gubernatorial and state Assembly candidates and chairmen of political parties ahead of the elections in Jigawa State, yesterday.

The IGP, who was represented by the Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Training and Development, Force Headquarters, Mr. Hafiz Muhammad Inuwa, however, re-iterated the impartiality of the police and other security agencies, assuring that they are there to provide enabling environment for free, fair and credible polls.

Besides the governorship and state Assembly polls, elections into about 41 National Assembly seats covering eight Senatorial districts and 33 Federal constituencies will be conducted tomorrow.

While the Senatorial election did not hold in one Senatorial district (Enugu East) as a result of the death of the candidate of Labour Party (LP), it also did not hold in one federal constituency in Edo State (Esan Central/Esan West/Igueben) because of the omission of the logo of one of the parties.

The National Assembly elections in Sokoto State were suspended with the supplementary polls involving the three Senatorial districts and 11 federal constituencies holding tomorrow.

Rescheduled elections will hold in 14 other states, which include Kebbi (Kebbi North); Plateau (Plateau Central); Yobe (Yobe South) and Zamfara (Zamfara Central).