Ondo election: IGP imposes movement restriction, other measures

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, has announced that there will be a restriction of all vehicular movements on roads, waterways, and other means of transportation from 6am to 6pm during the Ondo State governorship election on Saturday.

Exempted from the restriction are those on essential services such as ambulances, media officials, fire services, and other accredited media.

Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, in a statement on Thursday, said the restriction is part of comprehensive security measures aimed at ensuring a peaceful, transparent, and credible electoral process in Ondo.

He said the IGP deployed DIG Sylvester Abiodun Alabi as the coordinating DIG for the elections and tasked him with overseeing the implementation of the police security strategies to maintain law and order throughout the electoral period.

Others deployed included AIG Bennett Igweh and CP Tunji Disu as AIG and CP Elections respectively.

To prevent disruption during the election, Adejobi stated that the force has banned security aides and escorts from accompanying the VIPs to polling booths and collation centres.

Unauthorised security personnel and quasi-security agencies will not be permitted to operate during the election, and a strict ban on the use of sirens by unauthorized vehicles will be enforced, he said.

He further stated that special consideration will also be extended to individuals with disabilities, pregnant women, nursing mothers, and those facing mobility challenges to ensure that polling stations remain accessible.

The police will be collaborating with the military and other federal security agencies to ensure that the elections are conducted fairly and peacefully.

Citizens are urged to report all suspicious activities that may threaten the integrity of the electoral process through designated election lines that will be published soon.