Election: POLICE RESTRICTS MOVEMENT IN ANAMBRA, READS RIOT ACT

Election: POLICE RESTRICTS MOVEMENT IN ANAMBRA, READS RIOT ACT

The Anambra State Police Command has ordered total restriction of movement through the land and riverine borders in Anambra State on Saturday, March 9.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, Rabiu Ladodo, said the initiative is to ensure adequate security during the State House of Assembly election.

In a release issued by Haruna Mohammed, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, the CP said the restriction will last between 6am of Saturday, March 9, till 5pm after the voting period on the same day.

According to him, the total restriction of movement order applies to all, except security agencies, personnel on essential services and duly accredited election observers.

The CP noted that the restriction will assist the security agencies in effectively policing the electoral process, thereby preventing hoodlums and criminally-minded elements from hijacking and disrupting the electoral process.

He further urged all eligible voters in the state to come out en-masse on the day of the election to exercise their franchise without any fear or apprehension as the police and other security agencies have already put in place adequate security measures to ensure a safe, secure and conducive environment for a peaceful and credible election.

While regretting the inconveniences the restriction will cause the the general public, the CP, however, warned that the Command will deal decisively with any individual(s) or group(s) that would want to disrupt the peaceful conduct of the election. He, therefore, enjoined the citizens to steer-clear of vote buying, vote selling, circulation of hate speeches, snatching of ballot boxes and other act(s) capable of truncating the people’s will; noting that the Command will not hesitate to bring to bear the full weight of the law on anyone, who engages in any of the aforementioned crimes.

He also enjoined the general public to remain vigilant and report all suspicious movements or dealings to the Command joint operations room through the following distress call numbers: 07039194332, 08106164727 and 08092984498 for prompt response.