Police in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) says there would be a restriction of movements in the nation’s capital on Saturday, February 12 when residents in the six area councils would be going to polls to elect chairmen and councilors.
Josephine Adeh,Police Public Relations Officer in a statement said the FCT Commissioner of Police, Babaji Sunday, has directed the deployment of police officers across the city to maintain law and order during the poll.
“The restriction emplaced between the period of 12mid night – 4 pm of the said date was put in place to enable the Police in a concerted effort with other sister agencies to do due diligence in the discharge of their duties towards ensuring a free and fair Election thereby totally paralysing any form of threat emergence and creating a vote worthy atmosphere for voters and the electorates at large to perform their civic right and obligation,” the statement read.
The Police Commissioner urged residents of the FCT to turn out to exercise their voting rights without the fear of harassment or molestation of any kind.
He, however, noted that the restriction only bears an exception for essential workers and students who were coincidentally scheduled to write a nationwide WAEC examination, stressing that parties found otherwise wanting will be made to face the wrath of the law.
Babaji said all stakeholders in the election should not forget their signed peace accord and ensure that their actions and inactions are ushered by constituted guidelines.
He also called on residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious or abnormal occurrence to the Police through the following emergency lines: 08032003913, 08061581938, 07057337653 and 08028940883.