Ahead of Saturday’s presidential and National Assembly elections, the Federal Government has ordered the closure of all land borders with effect from 12pm on Friday (today) to Sunday.
This was contained in a statement by the the Minister of Interior, Abdulrahman Dambazau, urging the public to take note, and directing security agencies to ensure compliance.
In the same vein, the acting Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, has ordered the restriction of vehicular movement from 6am to 6pm on Saturday.
Adamu explained that the restriction is necessary to ensure the security agencies perform their responsibility adequately, “thereby preventing hoodlums and criminally-minded elements from hijacking and disrupting the electoral process.”
In a statement made available to journalist by the force spokesman, Frank Mba, the police urge the public to go out en masse on election day to exercise their franchise without fear or apprehension.
He assured Nigerians that the police and other security agencies had put in place adequate security measures to ensure a safe, secure and conducive environment for peaceful and credible elections.
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“In furtherance of the overall interest of public order, public well-being and safety and national security as it relates to the general elections billed to take place on Saturday, February 16, 2019, the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, has ordered the restriction of vehicular movement from 6am to 6pm on Saturday,” the statement read.
The Inspector General of Police also warned that the any individuals or groups that might want to go against the directive will be prosecuted.
He added that citizens to steer clear of vote-buying, vote-selling, hate speech, circulating fake news, snatching of ballot boxes and other acts capable of truncating the people’s will.
Adamu noted that any form of crime will not be tolerated during the election period.