Officers and men receiving directives from CP Election Delta during a briefing at Police Headquarters, Asaba.
* Imposes restrictions on vehicular movement
* Orders non-State-actors to steer clear
* Reiterates ban on VIP escorts
By Jon Egie
The Inspector General of Police, IGP Alkali Baba Usman has deployed four Commissioners of police to Delta State to ensure a hitch-free election exercise and to protect electorates and officials of Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC in the general elections holding on February 25 and March 11, 2023.
A release issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO to Delta State Police Command, DSP Bright Edafe said restrictions on vehicular movement has also been imposed between 0000hours and 1800hours on the election days.
The release advised all non-State- actors including vigilantes, anti-cult and hunters to steer clear from polling units and all election areas since they have no role to play in the entire election process. Violators of the instruction will be seriously dealt with, the release warned.
Meanwhile, the ban on VIP escorts remains in place, the release added and asked all VIPs not to move with their security details on Election Day as any officer found wanting will be arrested and sanctioned.
“In view of the forthcoming elections which is slated to hold on 25/02/2023 and 11/03/2023, where the Nigerian public will exercise their right, the Inspector General of Police IGP Alkali Baba Usman psc+, NPM, NEAPS, FDC, CFR has deployed four Commissioners of police to the State for the Election, they are; CP John Babangida posted as election CP Delta State Command, CP Mamman U. Sanda to Delta North, CP Zachariah Fera to Delta South, CP Adebola Hamzat to Delta central.
“The command in synergy with other sister agencies has deployed massively personnel across the state, all polling units, RACs, collation centers, and INEC offices to ensure a hitch-free election and also protect the electorates and INEC officials. Marine Police have equally been deployed to the water ways to ensure that that area too is peaceful during the election.
“There will be restriction of vehicular movement from 0000hours to 1800 hours on 25/02/2023 and 11/03/2023, only officials on emergency and essential duties which includes accredited election monitors and observers, will be allowed passage during this time.
“While regretting the inconveniences this will cause, members of the public are therefore advised to adhere to this instruction as anyone found wanting will be made to face the full wrath of the law.
“The ban on VIP escorts during the election still stands. They are therefore advised not to move with their security details on Election Day, and any officer found wanting will be arrested and sanctioned accordingly.
“The CP Election Delta Command also advises all non-state actors (vigilante, anti-cult volunteers, hunters etc.) that they will not be playing any role whatsoever during the elections, so they are to steer clear of the polling units and the entire election process, as any of them found meddling in the election process will be decisively dealt with.
“While wishing residents in the State a hitch free elections the CP Election Delta Command wishes to state that the success of this election, to a large extent, lies on how the electorate conduct themselves in accordance with all the extant laws, he therefore urges all residents to be law abiding, and rest assured that the Command will not compromise in carrying out its primary responsibility of ensuring the protection of life and property, as well as preservation of public tranquillity before, during, and after the elections.
According to the DSP Bright Edafe, the following dedicated phone lines are available to the public to reach the command, as a quick response contact for any complaint or distress situation during the election exercise:
CONTROL ROOM NUMBERS:
1. 08036684974
2. 08125958005
3. 09053872287
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