….Appreciates support of citizens in the last election
….Urges them to remain supportive, while reassuring provision of adequate security
The Enugu State Commissioner of Police, CP Ahmed Ammani, has ordered the strict enforcement of the election’s day restriction of vehicular and other unauthorized movements from 12 am to 6 pm, in compliance with the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, directives on the 2023 Election Security Management for the Governorship, State House of Assembly and the rescheduled Enugu East Senatorial District Elections, slated for Saturday, 18th March 2023;
According to a press release signed by the Enugu State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Daniel Ndukwe, said that others include the subsisting ban on the use of sirens, revolving lights, covering of number plates by unauthorized persons and unpermitted use of tinted glasses.
The statement read, “This is besides the enforcement of the IGP’s directive forbidding armed security personnel from escorting VIPs to voting centres and the barring of State-owned, local vigilante and private security outfits from the Election Security Management.
“Consequently, the Commissioner has entreated citizens of the State to voluntarily comply with the movements’ restriction order, except for INEC officials and authorized election observers, as well as medical practitioners, firefighters and other essential service providers on official duty. This is in addition to their complying with the subsisting ban on the unauthorized use of sirens, revolving lights, removal and/or covering of number plates and unpermitted use of tinted vehicle glasses.
“Further to the directives, the CP warns armed security personnel against escorting VIPs to polling Units; while personnel of Neighborhood Watch Group, Forest Guards, Local Vigilante and private security outfits in the State are to note and comply with the directive barring them from participating in the Election Security Management.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner, while reassuring the good people of the State of the preparedness of the Police, in active collaboration with other security agencies, to provide adequate security and a level playing ground for peaceful and credible Elections, has appreciated and commended them for being law-abiding and supportive in the last National-level Elections.
He urged them to replicate the same in the Saturday Elections, by going out en-masse to cast their votes without fear, conduct themselves peacefully and avoid committing any of the Election Day Offences, as spelt out in Section 126 of the amended Electoral Act 2022.
The CP warned that acts of hooliganism and other contrary conduct within and beyond the Election Centres shall not be tolerated. Hence, he enjoins the law-abiding electorate and the citizenry to quickly report election security situations to the Joint Election Security Situation Room (JESSR) on 08032003702, 08075390883, 08098880172 or 08086671202 (including WhatsApp messages) or send emails to: infoenugupolice@gmail.com. Alternatively, call the Police PRO on 08099854883 or the nearest Area Commander or Divisional Police Officer (DPO).
