Police ban use of sirens, restricts vehicular movements during elections in Kogi

Kogi State Police Command has banned use of Sirens, unauthorised security oufits and restricted vehicular movements during the general election on Saturday.

In a statement by the Kogi State Police Public Relations Officer, SP William Ovye Aya, which was made available to CAPITAL POST, he said, the development was in compliance with the directive of the Inspector General of Police in order to ensure a smooth and peaceful elections.

The statement read: “In compliance with the directives of the Inspector General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, the Commissioner of Police in charge of election security in Kogi State, CP Yekini A. Ayoku, ordered for the restriction of all forms of vehicular movement from midnight of Saturday 25/2/2023 to 6 pm of Saturday 25/2/2023 Election Day except those on essential services such as INEC official, election observers, Firefighters, Ambulances, etc.

“This order is aimed at ensuring safety for the electorates and secure and a conducive, safe, and secure environment for the conduct of the 2023 General elections.”

He further assures the good people of Kogi State of the adequate security measures put in place by the Command in synergy with other security agencies in the state to guarantee the security and safety of lives and properties before, during, and after the election.

The CP disclosed this while addressing the joint security personnel deployed for the show of force at the Police Command Headquarters, Lokoja.

The CP urges the members of the public to come out and vote as adequate security arrangement has been made to ensure a violence-free election. He cautions the would-be troublemakers who may want to test the capacity of the security forces to desist from such an act, as anybody found culpable will be dealt with according to the law.

The Commissioner of Police while noting that the ban on the unauthorized use of sirens, revolving lights, and covered registration number plates are still in force, called on VIPs to abide by the directive that nobody should move around with security details and warns all security aides to cease from accompanying their principals to polling booths as anyone found flouting this directive would be sanctioned accordingly.

Similarly, the CP further disclosed that the use of unauthorized security outfits is barred from participating in the election security management.