Ekiti Police Restrict Movement Ahead of Governorship Election

The Ekiti State Police Command has announced a restriction on inter-state and intra-state vehicular movement across the state on Saturday, the day of the governorship election.

The command said the restriction will take effect from 12 a.m. to 6 p.m. and will apply to all roads within the state as well as inter-state highways, describing it as part of broader security arrangements aimed at ensuring a peaceful and violence-free election.

In a statement issued on Friday by the Police Public Relations Officer, Sunday Abutu, the command said students and candidates sitting for national examinations and assessments are exempted from the restriction and are expected to proceed to their centres as scheduled.

Abutu said the restriction is intended to prevent the movement of political thugs and other criminal elements who may attempt to disrupt the electoral process.

He explained that the directive covers all forms of motorised transport, including private vehicles, commercial buses, trucks, tricycles and motorcycles, adding that travellers passing through Ekiti State are advised to use alternative routes during the restriction period.

According to the police, exemptions will be granted to essential service providers, including designated INEC officials, accredited journalists, domestic and foreign election observers, medical personnel, emergency responders and other approved critical service operators, provided they carry valid identification and clearance tags.

The command also stated that medical emergency movements will be allowed during the restriction window.

It further warned that movement of VIPs with armed escorts or security aides to polling units and collation centres will not be permitted, while quasi-security groups, vigilantes and volunteer outfits are barred from providing any form of security during the election period.

Construction companies were also advised to suspend active road works during the restriction period for safety reasons.

The police said only personnel of security agencies and members of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) are authorised to provide security at polling units and collation centres.

The command urged residents to comply with the directive, saying it is aimed at ensuring a peaceful atmosphere for voters to freely exercise their civic rights.

It warned that security agencies would deal decisively with any individual or group that violates the order or attempts to disrupt the electoral process.

Commissioner of Police for the Ekiti Governorship Election, Abayomi Shogunle, urged eligible voters to come out and vote, assuring that adequate security has been deployed across the state before, during and after the election.

He also called on residents to remain law-abiding and cooperate with security personnel, while urging the public to report suspicious movements or security concerns to the nearest police station or the emergency line 08062335577.