The Edo State Police Command has announced a statewide restriction on movement ahead of Saturday’s local government election as part of measures to ensure a peaceful and credible electoral process.
According to the Command, the restriction will take effect from 12:00 am and remain in force until 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 11.
The directive was contained in a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Eno Ikoedem, who explained that the restriction forms part of a broader security strategy developed in collaboration with other security agencies operating in the state.
She said the objective of the measure is to guarantee the safety of voters, election officials, security personnel and electoral materials, while preventing any activities capable of disrupting the conduct of the polls.
“The restriction is part of the comprehensive security measures put in place by the Command in collaboration with other security agencies to guarantee a peaceful electoral process, protect voters, electoral officials, and sensitive materials, as well as prevent any breakdown of law and order,” the statement said.
Under the directive, all forms of vehicular and pedestrian movement across Edo State will be prohibited during the specified hours.
However, the restriction will not apply to officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), accredited election observers, duly accredited media personnel, security agencies, emergency responders and other essential service providers assigned official election duties.
The Police Command urged residents to strictly comply with the directive, warning that anyone found violating the movement restriction or engaging in activities capable of undermining the electoral process would face legal consequences.
“Consequently, all vehicular and human movement within the state is prohibited during the stated period, except for officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission, accredited election observers, duly accredited media personnel, security agencies, emergency and other essential service providers on election duty,” the statement added.
The command disclosed that security personnel have been strategically deployed across all 18 local government areas of Edo State to enforce the restriction and maintain law and order throughout the election period.
“Members of the public are advised to comply fully with this directive, as security operatives have been strategically deployed across the eighteen Local Government Areas of the state to enforce the restriction and maintain law and order. Any person or group found to be in violation of the restriction or engaging in acts that could disrupt the electoral process will be dealt with in accordance with the law,” the statement noted.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police in Edo State, CP Monday Agbonika, reassured residents that adequate security arrangements had been made to ensure the smooth conduct of the local government election.
He encouraged eligible voters to conduct themselves peacefully and participate in the electoral process in accordance with the guidelines issued by the Edo State Independent Electoral Commission (EDSIEC).
“The Commissioner of Police, CP Monday Agbonika, reassures the good people of Edo State that adequate security arrangements have been made to safeguard the election and urges residents to come out peacefully to exercise their civic responsibility in line with the guidelines issued by the Edo State Independent Electoral Commission, as the Command remains committed to ensuring a free, fair, peaceful, and credible electoral process,” the statement concluded.
