The Ebonyi Police Command has ordered restriction of human and vehicular movement in the five Local Government Areas of Ebonyi South Senatorial District during Saturday’s Senatorial by-election.
The Acting Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the command, DSP Joshua Ukandu, announced the order in an interactive session with newsmen in Abakaliki on Thursday.
Ukandu said that the restriction would begin from midnight of Friday to 6pm on Saturday.
He also said that the movement restriction applied to Afikpo, Edda, Ivo, Ohaozara and Onicha.
He said that security agencies would continue to monitor and enforce security until the election had been concluded.
The PPRO said: “Persons providing essential services, such as INEC staff, accredited media and election observers, among others, are exempted from this restriction.
“They should be able to provide valid means of identification.
“This is to ensure public order and the safety of the electorate as well as assist the security agencies to effectively police and deter miscreants from disrupting the electoral process.”
The command further warned members of the public to adhere strictly to the order.
“Any person or group found fomenting trouble or violating this order will be dealt with according to the extant law.
“The Commissioner of Police, Augustina Ogbodo, has assured residents of massively deployed human and technical resources by the command.
“The police will collaborate with sister security agencies to ensure a safe and secure space for citizens who will be exercising their franchise on the election day,” Ukandu said.
He gave out the command’s emergency lines for the election to include 08033447426, 08032716251 and 07064515001.