The leadership of the Nigeria Police has ordered the restriction of movement in Bayelsa on Saturday as the re-run elections holds, even as a Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) at the Force Headquarters Hashimu Argungu, is to lead an Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) and three (3) other Commissioners of Police (CPs) to coordinate security operations during the process.

The Guardian had reported yesterday the deployment of helicopters and boats including more than 5,000 personnel of the force, for the Saturday election.

A statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja by the Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO) Olabisi Kolawole said but for persons carrying out essential duties, the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Solomon Arase has “placed an order banning movements in and out of the LGAs where elections will hold with effect from 6am to 6pm on Saturday 9th January, 2016”.

People rendering indispensable services like ambulance operators, election officials, medical personnel and the like, would be required to identify themselves and allowed to go about their duties unhindered, but warned that the full wrath of the law will take its cause against offenders.

She said already a general security operation to clear the identified hurdles has already begun as the IGP “reassured that adequate security logistics and manpower have been strategically deployed to achieve a most conducive electioneering atmosphere”.

With the deployment of the DIG who would be assisted by Musa Daura, the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) in charge of Zone 5 Benin and three (3) Commissioners of Police (CPs) including Leye Oyebade, CP Oyo state, the CP in charge of Explosive Ordinance Department (EOD) and CP in charge of Police Mobile Force (PMF) Peter Ogunyanwo, the more than 5,000 personnel of various ranks deployed would provide the desired security during the exercise.

The statement reads in part “ Police have commenced extensive security operations in the State, including the deployment of plain cloth detectives and surveillance helicopters for aerial patrols, while gunboats and speedboats will complement the Police Marine Unit to convey security personnel and election materials to riverine communities.

“Armed personnel from Police Mobile Force, Special Protection Unit as well as Counter Terrorism Unit of the Force are on ground to support the ongoing security operations in the State. The IGP has deployed a Deputy Inspector-General of Police to supervise security arrangements. One Assistant Inspector-General of Police and three Commissioners of Police will assist him. Over 5000 conventional Policemen have also been deployed for the election”.

While regretting the inconveniences caused by the restriction order, IGP Arase sued for understanding and cooperation among the citizens, saying it is a strategy to curtail “the influx and movement of undesirable and criminal elements in and out of the affected Local Government Areas before and during the election”.