Less than 24 hours to Saturday’s governorship and House of Assembly elections, the Ebonyi State Police Command on Friday restricted all forms of unauthorized human and vehicular movements during the elections, even as it barred very important personalities/politicians from going to their polling units with their security details.
The restriction order is contained in a statement signed by the commissioner of Police, CP. Faleye E. S. Olaleye and made available to Voiceonline by the command’s Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, SP. Onome Onovwapoyeya that the restriction order will be effective from midnight of Friday to 06:00 pm of Saturday, 18th March, 2023.
According to him, ‘this step is taken to ensure public order management and the safety of electorates as well as to assist the security agencies with effective policing and to deter miscreants from disrupting the electoral process.’ she stated.
The CP further stated that in view of this, the command emplaced restriction on persons and vehicular movement across the state; unauthorised vehicular movement on roads and other means of transportation between midnight of Friday to 06:00 pm on Saturday.
However, added that the restriction order would not affect essential services; Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) staff, ambulance, firefighters, and approved election observers with due means of identification.
“Important personalities (VIPs) and politicians are equally barred from going to polling units with their security details (aides and escorts) on Election day.
“They are therefore warned to desist from unnecessary movement from one polling unit to another on Election Day.
“Note, the unauthorized use of sirens, revolving lights, covered plate numbers and tinted glasses is still in force and violators will be sanctioned appropriately.”
He then urged members of the public to contact the comissioner of police deployed to various senatorial zones, CP. Ndu Anene for Ebonyi Central, 07033565252, CP. Augustina Ogbodo for Ebonyi South – 08033068415 and DCP Thomas A. Nabhon fsi for Ebonyi North- 08038237109 or the joint operation numbers which are 09115246569, 09115807815 or 07064515001 to report any suspicious persons, activities or request security response.
