The Oyo state Commissioner of Police, Mr Femi Haruna, has imposed restriction of movement in Ibadan North, Ibadan North East, and Ibadan South- West during the Aug. 16 Ibadan North Federal Constituency by-election.
Haruna stated this at a media briefing organised by the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) and the Oyo State Police Command on Wednesday ahead of Saturday’s by-election in Ibadan North Federal Constituency.
The CP said that the restriction of movement in the local government areas and adjoining environs would be from midnight to 5:00p.m. on Aug. 16.
He said that this was to ensure safety and security during the exercise.
Haruna said that all security agencies in the state were fully prepared to ensure that the by-election was free, fair and credible.
He said that adequate arrangement had been made for deployment of personnel, stressing “the measures will include convoy patrols, intermittent shows of force and intelligence-driven raids.
“We urge parents, guardians, and community leaders to play a pivotal role in upholding the integrity of this electoral process.
“In preparation for this critical electoral exercise, ICCES has held a series of consultations with strategic security stakeholders to assess and affirm our readiness”.
The CP said that the show of force usually conducted by police and other security agencies ahead of elections was not meant to intimidate the electorate.
He said that the show of force was to ensure credible election and to discourage criminal who might want to cause violence before, during and after the election.
Haruna said that conducting a safe election requires collaboration, commitment, and adherence to the rule of law, stressing that the security agencies were ready to collectively uphold these standards.
He said that the Peace Accord earlier signed by parties and their candidates served as a binding commitment for them to maintain peace and good conduct during and after the election and as well discourage electoral violence.
Haruna said that no quasi-security organisations, including state-backed groups would be permitted to participate in the by-election, affirming that all electoral laws remain in force.
The CP warned that anyone found in possession of any lethal object within or outside the voting area would face prosecution.
He affirmed the commitment of the police and other security agencies in the state to the conduct of a successful, peaceful electoral process and urged all stakeholders to fulfill their responsibilities to protect democracy in the state.
In attendance at the briefing were representatives of the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Air force, Department of State Services (DSS) and Nigeria Security and Civil Defencd Corps (NSCDC).
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