by Ranti Joseph

Inspector-General of Police, Solomon Arase, has ordered a restriction on vehicular movements in local government areas of Abia, Delta, Imo, Kogi and Taraba states where rerun elections are scheduled to take place on Saturday, between 8am to 5pm.

Arase also issued a note of warning to all officers involved in the re-run elections in the states to conduct themselves in line with established standard operational guidelines. While reminding officers to be above board and maintain the highest level of professionalism, he warned that severe disciplinary sanctions would be meted out to any deviant officer found to have breached the code of conduct.

Public relations officer of the police, Emmanuel Ojukwu, in a statement said the order affects movements in and out of the areas where the rerun elections are to take place, except for ambulances, fire service trucks and others on essential duties. Consequently, travellers and citizens who intend to ply roads within those hours are advised to plan alternative routes.

“The IGP also warns government officials and political office holders not to go to polling units with uniformed orderlies or aides, while persons who have no business with voting must not be found within 300 metres of a polling unit,” it said.

“The police high command has also put adequate security measures in place by the deployments of additional senior officers to supervise security of elections in the states as follows: To Abia state: One deputy inspector-general of police, one assistant inspector-general of police and two commissioners of police. “To Imo state: One assistant inspector-general of police and three commissioners of police. “To Taraba state: Two assistant inspectors-general of police and two deputy commissioners of police.”

The IGP enjoined citizens to remain vigilant and report all suspicious movements or dealings to the appropriate police authority,” he explained.

Janeth J