Ebonyi LG Poll: Police deploy personnel, restrict movement

The Ebonyi State Police Command says it has deployed personnel to polling units and strategic locations across the state ahead of the August 22, 2026 local government poll, while also announcing a restriction of movement.

The command’s Commissioner, CP Urunwa Okafor, disclosed this in a statement that she  issued to newsmen on Wednesday.

The statement was signed by the Command’s Police Public Relations Officer, SP Joshua Ukandu.

The police boss said the deployment was aimed at ensuring adequate security coverage across the state and creating a safe and conducive environment for eligible voters to exercise their franchise peacefully.

Okafor said the command was collaborating with sister security agencies to ensure the peaceful conduct of the elections across the state’s 13 Local Government Areas.

She announced that movement would be restricted across the state on election day from 7am to 4pm.

The police, however, said persons engaged in essential and election-related duties would be exempted from the restriction.

She said: “They include the officials of the Ebonyi State Independent Electoral Commission (EBSIEC), accredited journalists and election observers, emergency service providers, health workers and other duly authorised personnel among those exempted.

“Such persons are required to carry valid means of identification and official accreditation for ease of identification by security personnel.”

The Police Commissioner cautioned political actors and their supporters against inflammatory rhetoric, provocative statements, and actions capable of heating up the polity or undermining the peaceful conduct of the elections.

Okafor warned that anyone found engaging in acts capable of causing a breakdown of law and order would face the full weight of the law.

She also urged eligible voters to conduct themselves peacefully and responsibly, obey lawful instructions from security personnel and shun violence or any other conduct capable of disrupting the electoral process.

The CP assured residents that the Command, in collaboration with sister security agencies, was fully prepared to provide adequate security before, during and after the elections.

She said the command would take all necessary measures to ensure a peaceful, secure and hitch-free Local Government election.

The command urged members of the public to promptly report suspicious activities or security emergencies on election day through 07064515001, 08033124839, or 08037928293.