Police order restriction of movements during Guber, House of Assembly elections
By Njadvara MUSA, Damaturu
The Borno and Yobe States Police Commands have ordered the restriction of movements during the Saturday Governorships and States’ House of Assembly elections in the States.
The restriction order commences on Saturday, March 18, 2023 from 12 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. across the two states.
According to the Commands, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials, electoral observers, fire fighters, ambulances and other persons on essential service are, however, exempted from the restriction movement order.
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Spokesmen of the Commands, Assistant Superintend of Police (ASP), Sani Shatambaya and Deputy Superintend of Police (DSP) Dungus Abdulkarim, disclosed, yesterday (Friday) in separate statements in Maiduguri and Damaturu that: “All the Very Important Persons (VIPs) and escorts are to desist from accompanying their principals and other politicians to the polling booths on Saturday.”
They warned that violations of the ‘movement restriction order’ will attract disciplinary measures.
Shatambaya added: “The 2022 Electoral Act has prohibited all quasi security outfits, including vigilante groups, hunters and Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF).
He said that other security organisations that is not of the federal government and without legal backings are stay clear during the Saturday elections.
“Anyone found flouting the electoral Act or going about with arms is liable to be apprehended and prosecuted,” he warned.
The Borno state police commissioner, Abdu Umar tasked the police personnel and other security agencies deployed for the elections to respect the fundamental human rights of the citizens.
“You’re to operate within the extant laws, rules and regulations guiding the conduct of the Governorship and House of Assembly elections,” he said.
He, therefore, urged the public to cooperate with all the security personnel by supporting them to ensure a peaceful election.
“You’re to discharge civic responsibility without fear,” he said, adding that measures have been put in place to forestall any incident that may likely disrupt the elections.
Continued; “In case of any distress, members of the public; are advised to call the Police on: 08023473293, 08068075581 and 08130579204 for quick response.”
The Yobe Police Commissioner, Haruna Garba, also appreciated the cooperation and understanding of the people conduct peaceful elections.
According to him, the Police and other security agencies are ensuring a level playing field for all candidates of the political parties.
His words: “We’ll provide a safe and secured environment to exercise voters’ civic rights without any interference and intimidation.
“The mischief and trouble makers are to desist from any act of violence as any such attempt will be met with stiff resistance.”
He, therefore, called on parents and guardians to warn their children and wards against being used as agents of violence before, during and after the elections.
He charged party leaders to warn their supporters to desist from acts that are detrimental to the successful conduct of elections in the state.
According to him, the Police will deal decisively with anyone who tries to sabotage the electoral process.
He said the restriction of movements will be enforced from midnight of Friday, March 17, 2023 to Saturday, 6:00 p.m.
The police boss warned all quasi-security outfits and voluntary Security Organizations who have no role to play in the conduct of elections to stay clear.
