Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar imposes curfew on Ondo state

Nigeria’s Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar has slammed a curfew on Ondo state, 72 hours to the governorship election. The curfew came as the IG, along with the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Professor Attahiru Jega held a stakeholders meeting in Akure with the political parties taking part in Saturday’s polls.

According to a statement signed by Frank Mba, the police spokesman, Abubakar has ordered that movement in and out of Akure, the capital be restricted from 6 p.m until 6a.m on Friday. Then on Friday, , there is a total restriction of movement in the entire state from 6 p.m until 8 a.m on the election day, 20 October.

The Inspector General said the people free to move are those on “essential duties” or those movements “necessary for citizens to exercise their franchise on the election day. Consequently, travelers and citizens who intends to use roads in and out of Ondo State are advised to divert to alternative routes.”

According to the statement, the restrictions were slammed as part of efforts to ensure adequate security for the governorship elections.

“While expressing his regrets over the inconveniences that road users and the general public may suffer as a result of this restriction, the IGP appeals for the understanding and cooperation of the entire citizenry, as the restriction is essentially to ensure the effective security of citizens, election officials and materials. It is a strategy to curtail the influx and movement of undesirable and criminal elements in and out of the State before and during the election.”

“The IGP assures that adequate security logistics and manpower have been strategically deployed to achieve a most conducive electioneering atmosphere. In this regard, Policemen for election duty have been properly trained, briefed and sensitized on their roles as stipulated in the Electoral Act. They are expected to be professional, non-partisan, civil but firm in their approach and relation to the public; and to strictly observe Force Order 237 on the use of firearms to ensure that inalienable rights of the citizens are not trampled upon.

“The IGP uses this medium to advice politicians to play by the rules. Consequently, politicians, Political Office Holders and all Very Important Personalities who are not directly involved in the conduct of the election, are expected to peacefully cast their votes and return to their homes. On no account must they be involved in monitoring of election, as the Police will enforce to the letter, all laws relating to the elections and law breakers appropriately dealt with in accordance with the law of the land.

“The citizens of Ondo State are enjoined to come out en-masse to exercise their civic right, as the Police assisted by other security agencies, have mapped out plans to ensure that persons who are out to cast their votes, do so without fear of molestation from any quarter. They are advised to shun violence and all forms of thuggery. IGP further advised parents to keep close watch on their children and wards in order not to allow them to be used by unscrupulous politicians for criminal purposes, as the full weight of the law will take its course on anyone apprehended.

“Finally, citizens are enjoined to remain vigilant and report all suspicious movements or dealings to appropriate Police authority,” said CSP Mba, the deputy Force Public Relations Officer.