IGP Orders Restriction Of Movement, Bars Vigilantes

 Delta Police Deploys 1,000 Personnel

Don’t Kill People You Want To Lead -Jonathan Tells Politicians

 BY PATRICK MGBODO 

THE Delta State Command of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and troops of the 63 Bridge of the Nigeria Army (NA) have guaranteed maximum protection for voters at polling units in tomorrow’s elections. 

While urging Deltans to be confident and turn up en masse to cast their votes for their preferred candidates in line with their civic rights, the law enforcement agencies undertook to curb all forms of probable electoral violence. 

The assurance was contained in a joint statement by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Delta State Command, DSP Bridget Edafe, and the Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 63 Brigade, Major Yahaya Kabara. 

Excerpts of the statement read, ‘’come and vote! The troops of the 63 Brigade of the Nigeria Army, Delta State Police Command, in conjunction with other security agencies, are ready to protect you and your family. 

‘’You have the right to vote and make the right choice of leadership. We assure you safety and freedom’’. The police and army further charged the citizens to report suspicious activity or persons in their neighborhood. 

In a related development, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Usman Baba, has ordered the restriction of all forms of vehicular movement on roads, waterways, and other forms of transportation, from 12 am to 6 pm tomorrow. 

However, those on essential services, such as officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), electoral observers, accredited media and observers, and emergency responders, were exempted from the restriction. 

This directive also excluded the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as no election is being conducted therein,” said Force Spokesman Muyiwa Adejobi. “Similarly, the IGP reiterates the ban on all security aides to VIPs and escorts from accompanying their principals and politicians to polling booths and collation centers during the election.” 

The IGP also barred state-established and privately-owned security outfits from participating in election security management. State-owned security outfits include the Benue State Community Volunteer Guards, the Amotekun Corps, and Ebubeagu, amongst others. 

The IGP urged all citizens to be law-abiding during and after the elections even as he assured Nigerians that all necessary security arrangements had been emplaced to ensure they exercise their franchise unhindered. 

Significant violence was recorded during the February 25 presidential and National Assembly elections, especially in states like Lagos, Kano, Rivers, and Bayelsa. Ballot box snatching, voter harassment, and intimidation were the order of the day. 

In alphabetical order, the 28 states, where governorship elections will hold on March 18, 2023 are: Abia, Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Bauchi, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Enugu, Gombe, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Kwara, Lagos, Nasarawa, Niger, Ogun, Oyo, Plateau, Rivers, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe, Zamfara. 

…Police Deploy 11,000 Personnel In Delta 

The Nigeria Police Force, Delta Command, says it has deployed 11,000 police personnel in the state ahead of the Governorship and House of Assembly elections billed for March 18. 

The Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIG) South- South, Mr. Moses Jitoboh, made this known at a news briefing, on Thursday, in Asaba. 

He said the 11,000 personnel would be supported by another batch of 4,000 operatives from sister security agencies, like the NSCDC, Army, FRSC and the NIS. 

“We are here for the March 18 Governorship and State House Of Assembly elections and as we all know, security of lives and property is of outmost concern. 

“Our mission and responsibility is to ensure that a peaceful and secured atmosphere prevails in Delta before, during and after the elections. 

“We enjoin residents of the state to come out and exercise their civic responsibility without fear of intimidation and violence”, Jitoboh said. (NAN) 

…Don’t Kill People You Want To Lead - Jonathan Tells Politicians 

Ahead of this Saturday’s governorship and state assembly elections, former President Goodluck Jonathan has admonished politicians against do-or-die politics, saying those who aspire to rule should not force themselves on the people. 

Jonathan gave the admonition, on Thursday, at Sampou community in Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, shortly after paying a condolence visit to Governor Douye Diri, who lost his father, Pa Abraham Diri. 

Bayelsa, the home state of the former president, will conduct only the state assembly election on Saturday while its governorship election is scheduled for November 11, 2023. Governor Douye Diri spokesman, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, told newsmen in a statement, on Thursday, that former President Jonathan also stressed that politics should be about service and not about self, urging politicians to wait for God’s time to get into leadership positions. 

Jonathan noted that in a democracy, the people played a critical role and wondered why those who aspire to lead want to force themselves on the people. 

He also advised people of the state to conduct themselves in a peaceful manner during the election.

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