Residents of seven Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Rivers State will be unable to move freely during the Rivers South-East Senatorial District by-election as the police announced a temporary ban on movement to strengthen security around the electoral process.
The Rivers State Police Command said the restriction on the movement of persons, vehicles and motorcycles will be enforced in Andoni, Tai, Khana, Gokana, Eleme, Oyigbo and Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Areas from midnight on Friday until 6:00 p.m. on Saturday.
The Command spokesperson, Agabe Kaborlo, said the decision was part of heightened security measures aimed at preventing disruptions, electoral fraud and violence during the by-election.
She noted that the command had put in place extensive security arrangements to ensure voters exercise their constitutional rights in a safe and peaceful environment.
The police stated that accredited Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials, security operatives on election duty, emergency responders, fire service personnel and other authorized essential service providers would be allowed to move during the restriction period.
Commissioner of Police, (CP) Olugbenga Adepoju, called on all stakeholders, including political actors, community leaders, youth groups and residents, to conduct themselves responsibly and avoid actions capable of undermining the election.
He stressed that the success of the by-election depends on the collective commitment of citizens to peace, respect for the rule of law and cooperation with security agencies.
The command further warned that it would take decisive action against individuals or groups involved in electoral offences such as vote-buying, voter intimidation, thuggery and other acts capable of disrupting the democratic process.
Reaffirming its commitment to a peaceful poll, the police assured residents that adequate measures had been put in place to protect lives, property and electoral materials throughout the exercise.