By Gabriel Chy Alonta & Lawrence Nwimo
The Inspector General of Police Usman Alkali Baba, on Thursday, issued an order restricting vehicular movement in and out of Anambra State from 11:59PM on Friday, 5th November, 2021 to 11:59PM on Saturday, 6th November, 2021.
The IGP gave the order through the Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) in Charge of Operation, Zaki Ahmed at a joint interactive session of the police with media and Civil Societies Organisations (CSO) at the Force Headquarters in Amawbia.
The restriction, as explained, was part of measures aimed at protecting the sanctity of the electoral process in the November 6, 2021, Anambra State Gubernatorial Elections.
The IGP further noted that the measure would also avail security forces a firm grip of the state to checkmate the movement of political thugs and touts, and prevent the free flow, circulation and use of illicit arms and hard drugs throughout the period and beyond.
Reaffirming police preparedness of the force at ensuring free, fair and credible election in he state, the police chief said the force is doing everything possible to ensure that the election is hitch and violent-free.
He also assured that the Police would maintain security and a level playing ground for all parties involved in the election and added that it is working in collaboration with sister security agencies to ensure success of the guber pull.
“The police is working in collaboration with other security agencies to ensure that the election is hitch free exercise. Thousands of policemen were deployed to the state to help protect people who go about to exercise their franchise”, he said.
The IGP, who described Anambra gubernatorial election as a ‘national assignment’, urged the media and other interest groups to partner the police to ensure peaceful conduct of the election.
He also urged new visitors to the state to avoid panic as enough personnel had been deployed to every nook and cranny of the state, including hotels to safeguard lives and properties before, during and after the election.
Meanwhile, Spokesman of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), Frank Mba, said the interactive session was to create synergy with the media where the two parties among others, would collaborate to ensure credible election.
Mba also called on journalists and other news outlets to shun fake news by fact-checking their reports before they are dished out for public consumption especially in the intense period of the election.