Police announce movement restriction ahead of Nasarawa bye-election

Nasarawa State Police Command says it has deployed adequate security personnel and operational assets for Saturday’s Nasarawa North Senatorial District by-election, alongside a restriction on vehicular and motorcycle movement in the affected areas.

CP Shetima Mohammed, Commissioner of Police in the state, said the measures were aimed at ensuring a peaceful, credible and hitch-free conduct of the election in Akwanga, Nasarawa Eggon and Wamba Local Government Areas.

SP Ramhan Nansel, the command’s Police Public Relations Officer, disclosed this in a statement on Friday in Lafia.

According to the statement, the commissioner has ordered the strategic deployment of personnel and operational assets to guarantee the safety of voters, election officials, observers and other stakeholders throughout the electoral process.

It added that vehicular and motorcycle movement would be restricted from midnight to 6:00 p.m. on election day within the affected local government areas.

The command explained that only vehicles and individuals on essential duties and duly accredited by the relevant authorities would be exempted from the restriction.

The police also warned quasi-security outfits, vigilante groups, hunters and other unauthorised security organisations to stay away from polling units, collation centres and other election-related venues.

It stated that the presence of such groups at election locations was prohibited, warning that anyone found violating the directive would be dealt with in accordance with the law.

The commissioner assured residents and eligible voters of the command’s commitment to maintaining neutrality, professionalism and law and order throughout the election period.

He urged the electorate to conduct themselves peacefully and exercise their civic responsibility without fear of intimidation, harassment or interference.

Mohammed also appealed to all stakeholders and members of the public to cooperate with security agencies to ensure a peaceful and successful electoral process.