Ekiti Gov election: VIPs With Armed Escorts Affected As Police Command Restricts Movement

By Ayodele Oni 

As part of moves to ensure security of Electorate during Saturday’s governorship election in Ekiti state, Police Command has placed restriction on inter-state and intra-state vehicular movements across the State.

“The restriction applies to all forms of motorized transportations, including; Private cars, Commercial vehicles, Trucks, Tricycles and Motorcycles.

“All intended inter-state travelers planning to travel through any part of Ekiti State are advised to take alternative routes during the stated period.

This was contained in a statement signed and made available to journalists by the Public Relations Officer of the command, SP Sunday Abutu.

The statement continues, “The restriction takes effect from 12:00am to 6.00pm on the day of election, and shall affect all roads within the state and inter-state highways.

“This standard measure is part of the comprehensive security arrangements aimed at ensuring a violence-free election.

“However, students/candidates taking National structured examinations/assessment should proceed to their centres accordingly.

“This vehicular movement restriction is expected to prevent the movement of political thugs and other criminal elements who may attempt to disrupt the electoral process.

“However, persons on essential duties such as designated INEC staff and ad-hoc staff, accredited journalists, local and foreign election observers, medical personnel, emergency responders and essential services providers are exempted and allowed to use the roads accordingly, such persons must carry valid identification and clearance tags.

“Medical emergency movements are also allowed during this stated period.

“The movement of VIPs with armed escorts or security aides to polling units and collation centres is strictly discouraged and will not be allowed.

“Quasi-security groups, vigilantes and volunteers groups are strictly prohibited from rendering any form of security services at any polling unit or collating centre throughout the election period.

“Due to safety reasons, this notice also serves as a binding advice on construction companies to pause all forms of actual road work construction during the stated period.

“Only officers and personnel of security agencies and agencies that are members of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) are permitted to provide security in and around all designated election facilities.

“Residents are urged to comply with this measure designed to ensure a peaceful atmosphere for voters to freely exercise their rights to vote.

“The Police, in collaboration with other security agencies, will not hesitate to deal decisively with any individual or groups that attempts to violate this order or undermine the peace of the State.

“The Commissioner of Police Ekiti State Governorship Election, CP Abayomi Shogunle,, calls on registered voters to come out and vote, everyone to remain law-abiding and cooperate with security personnel who have been adequately deployed across the State to maintain law and order.