Inspector-General of Police, IGP Solomon Arase yesterday announced partial restriction of vehicular movement ahead of today’s governorship election in Kogi State.

A statement issued in Abuja by Force Public Relations Officer, Ag. ACP Olabisi Kolawole, said: “In furtherance of strategies designed to prevent electoral fraud and violence and thus to ensure a smooth and orderly conduct of the Kogi State gubernatorial election slated for Saturday, 21^st November, 2015, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Solomon Arase, wishes to appeal to the general public, especially travellers plying through Kogi State, that the partial restriction of vehicular movement between 0600hrs to 1800hrs on the election’s day is informed by the exigencies of overriding security considerations, and to forestall tactics by miscreants to undermine the electoral process.

“The Nigeria Police Force advises that travellers should take advantage of alternative routes to their destinations where necessary within the hours of this partial restriction of movement on Saturday 21st November, 2015, as Police, complemented by the military and other security agents on duty at strategic points will subject motorists and other travellers plying the affected routes to civil and meticulous security search.

“The IGP, therefore, while empathising with the citizens over the inconveniences the order may cause, implores them to see this order as very necessary in the present circumstance and geared towards the quest for a seamless, credible and successful gubernatorial election.”

Meanwhile, Chairman of the Transition Monitoring Group (TMG), Zikiru Llahi Ibrahim, said yesterday that the group has information suggesting that some people are preparing to perpetrate violence during the election.

A report by Channels TV quoted him as saying that in Ofu Local Government, TMG observers noticed the movement of light arms which they reported to security agents.

Mr Ibrahim said that the security agencies have assured the group that they had swung into action and their men were on ground to prevent any lawless acts.

He noted that asides this development in Ofu, the state has remained peaceful with heavy presence of security operatives, and based on their observation there is no cause for alarm as no local government has been identified as volatile.

•Photo shows IGP Arase.

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