Edo guber: IGP orders restriction of vehicular movement

Molly Kilete, Abuja

Ahead of tomorrow’s Gubernatorial election in Edo State, the Inspector General of Police(IGP), Mohammed Adamu, has ordered the restriction of vehicular movement from 11:59PM on Friday, September 18, to – 6pm on Saturday, September, 19.

The IGP, said the restriction was to prevent the circulation and use of illicit arms and hard drugs. He also said the restriction was to checkmate the movement of political thugs and touts and other criminally-minded individuals especially from contiguous States from hijacking and disrupting the electoral processes.
Adamu in a statement signed by force public relations officer Frank Mba said “In line with concerted efforts at ensuring public order and safety, during the forthcoming Edo Gubernatorial election slated to hold on Saturday, 19th September, 2020, the Inspector General of Police, IGP M.A Adamu, NPM, mni has ordered the restriction of vehicular movement from 11:59PM on Friday, 18th September, 2020 – 6pm on Saturday, 19th September, 2020.

“The IGP notes that the restriction order is informed by the need to prevent the free flow, circulation and use of illicit arms and hard drugs and checkmate the movement of political thugs and touts and other criminally-minded individuals especially from contiguous States from hijacking and disrupting the electoral processes. He enjoins citizens to go out en-masse on the day of the election and vote, noting that the Police and other security agencies have been sufficiently mobilized to provide a safe, secure and conducive environment for the election.

“While regretting any inconveniences the restriction order may cause the citizens, the IGP enjoins the citizens to see the restriction as part of necessary sacrifices towards the enthronement of democracy. He however warns that the Force will not sit idly-by and watch citizens who may want to engage in any criminal act – violent and destructive acts, snatching of ballot boxes, vote buying, vote selling, hate speeches, and other act(s) capable of compromising the electoral processes.