By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

The Commissioner of Police in Anambra State, CP Echeng Echeng, has said that there will be no movement in the state from midnight of Friday, February 24 till the end of the election process on Saturday, February 25, 2023.

He stated this in a statement made available to journalists in Awka, saying that there will be a total restriction of all forms of vehicular movement on roads, waterways and other forms of transportation except for those on essential duties.

The statement reads, "Following the Inspector General of Police, IGP, Usman Alkali Baba order and the security plan conceived and being implemented under the umbrella of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) and based on a security threat analysis and risk assessment conducted but constantly updated, the Commissioner of Police Anambra State Police Command CP Echeng Echeng today 24/2/2023 has emplaced measures to enhance already activated security strategies to ensure a peaceful, hitch-free and secured election exercise that can be adjudged not only free and fair but credible in the state. These include:

“There will be total restriction of vehicular movement on roads, waterways and other forms of transportation between the hours of midnight today, Friday, 24th February 2023 to 6 pm on Saturday, 25th February 2023, except for those on essential services such as INEC officials, Electoral observers, Medical personnel, Ambulances responding to medical emergencies, Firefighters, etc.

“The command warns that security aides and escorts are not allowed to accompany their principals and politicians to polling booths and collations centres during the election, as anyone found flouting this directive will be severely sanctioned.

“The Command emphasizes that only security personnel specifically assigned to election duties are to be seen within and around the designated election booths and centres. The ban on the unauthorized use of sirens, revolving lights, covered number plates and tinted glasses is still in force and violators would be sanctioned appropriately.

“Vigilante groups, private security guards and other quasi-security outfits are excluded from participating in the security of the elections.

“Finally, the command appeals for the continued support and cooperation of the members of the public in this regard, to enable the state to have a serene electoral process.

“In the event of any request for security service, members of the public are advised to call the following phone numbers: the Command Control Room Number/Situation room number 07039194332 or the PRO at 08039334002.”