The Inspector General of Police, IGP, Suleiman Abba, has ordered a restriction of vehicular movement in all the 36 states of the federation from 8.00 am to 5.00 pm to ensure safety and security during Saturday’s governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections.

The restriction does not affect the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, as no elections are scheduled to hold there on Saturday.

A statement issued on behalf of the IGP by the police spokesman, Emmanuel Ojukwu, stated also that the restriction would not affect vehicles on essential duty “such as Fire Service, Ambulances and vehicles used by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and law enforcement/security agencies.”

The police chief gave the assurance that adequate security logistics and personnel had been deployed to ensure a peaceful election.

Abba stated that policemen deployed to cover the election had been properly briefed on their roles as stipulated in the Electoral Act, adding that “they are expected to be professional, non-partisan, civil but firm in their approach and relation to the public.”