ADVERTISEMENT
Police in Enugu State, Southeast Nigeria, have warned that they would not tolerate any acts of hooliganism or similar conduct during the governorship and State Assembly elections in the state.
The elections will hold in many states across the federation on Saturday, March 18, 2023.
Meanwhile, there have been accusations and counter-accusations by political parties about alleged plans by their rivals to unleash mayhem and intimidate the electorate.
However, the police command in Enugu has assured the residents of adequate protection, encouraging them to come out en masse to vote and ensure that their votes count.
The state police commissioner, Ahmed Ammani, who gave the warning and encouragement in a statement on Friday morning, ordered strict enforcement of restriction of movements during the election.
Ammani stated that the restriction of vehicular and other unauthorised movements on Election Day starts from midnight and ends by 6 pm on Saturday. He maintained the ban on the use of siren, revolving lights, covering of number plates by unauthorised persons and unpermitted use of tinted glasses still subsists.
“This is besides the enforcement of the IGP’s directive forbidding armed security personnel from escorting VIPs to voting centres and the barring of state-owned, local vigilante and private security outfits from the Election Security Management,” he said.
In the statement signed by the Command’s spokesman, Daniel Ndukwe, DSP, the commissioner appealed to citizens of the state to voluntarily comply with the restriction order, insisting that only those permitted to move around were INEC officials and authorised election observers, as well as medical practitioners, fire fighters and other essential service providers on official duty.
According to the statement, the CP warns armed security personnel against escorting VIPs to polling units; while personnel of Neighborhood Watch Group, Forest Guards, Local Vigilante and private security outfits in the state are to note and comply with the directive barring them from participating in the Election Security Management.
It further said, “Meanwhile, the Commissioner, while reassuring the good people of the State of the preparedness of the Police, in active collaboration with other security agencies, to provide adequate security and a level playing ground for peaceful and credible Elections, has appreciated and commended them for being law-abiding and supportive in the last National-level Elections.
“He urges them to replicate same in the Saturday Elections, by going out en-masse to cast their votes without fear, conduct themselves peacefully and avoid committing any of the Election Day Offences, as clearly spelt out in Section 126 of the amended Electoral Act 2022.
“The CP, therefore, warns that acts of hooliganism and other contrary conduct within and beyond the Election Centres, shall not be tolerated.
“Hence, he enjoins the law-abiding electorate and the citizenry to quickly report election security situations to the Joint Election Security Situation Room (JESSR) on: 08032003702, 08075390883, 08098880172 or 08086671202 (including WhatsApp messages) or send emails to: infoenugupolice@gmail.com. Or alternatively call the Police PRO on: 08099854883 or the nearest Area Commander or Divisional Police Officer (DPO) through the accompanying contacts list.”
Peoplesmind
ADVERTISEMENT
