Edo Decides 2020: Police Restrict Movement In South-South State Ahead of Election

Mohammed Adamu, the Inspector General of Police (IGP) has directed that vehicular movement in Edo state be restricted ahead of the forthcoming governorship poll in the state.

Making this disclosure in a statement on Thursday, Frank Mba the Force Public Relations Officer said the restriction will span from 11:59 p.m on Friday to 6.00 p.m on Saturday.

Mba explained that the vehicular restriction was part of the effort of the police to ensure orderliness and safety during the governorship election.

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Further disclosing that the restriction is geared towards preventing the free flow, circulation, and use of illicit arms and hard drugs during the election, Mba explained that the restriction is also part of the effort of the force to checkmate the movement of political thugs and other criminally minded individuals from contiguous states from hijacking and disrupting the electoral processes.

Urging citizens of Edo state to see the restriction as part of the sacrifice needed for the enthronement of Democracy, Mba regretted any inconveniences the restriction order would cause the citizens.

“In line with concerted efforts at ensuring public order and safety, during the forthcoming Edo Gubernatorial election slated to hold on Saturday, 19th September, 2020, the Inspector General of Police, IGP M.A Adamu, has ordered the restriction of vehicular movement from 11:59 PM on Friday, 18th September, 2020 – 6pm on Saturday, 19th September, 2020.

“The IGP notes that the restriction order is informed by the need to prevent the free flow, circulation, and use of illicit arms and hard drugs and checkmate the movement of political thugs and touts and other criminally-minded individuals especially from contiguous States from hijacking and disrupting the electoral processes.

“He enjoins citizens to go out en-masse on the day of the election and vote, noting that the Police and other security agencies have been sufficiently mobilized to provide a safe, secure and conducive environment for the election.

“While regretting any inconveniences the restriction order may cause the citizens, the IGP enjoins the citizens to see the restriction as part of necessary sacrifices towards the enthronement of democracy. He however warns that the Force will not sit idly by and watch citizens who may want to engage in any criminal act – violent and destructive acts, snatching of ballot boxes, vote-buying, vote-selling, hate speeches, and other act(s) capable of compromising the electoral processes,” he said.