Olohundare Jimoh, the commissioner of police in Lagos, has directed the deployment of personnel across the state ahead of the LG elections set for July 12.
Benjamin Hundeyin, the police spokesperson in Lagos, said in a statement on Wednesday that the commissioner gave the order to ensure the election proceeds without any disruptions.
Hundeyin also announced that vehicle movement would be restricted statewide from 3am to 3pm on Saturday. The restriction applies to both road and water transport.
“Elaborate security arrangements and comprehensive security measures have been put in place to ensure security, safety, and peaceful and orderly conduct of the LG elections,” the statement reads.
“Police escorts covered number plates, and the use of sirens at or in the vicinity of polling units and collation centres are prohibited.”
He stated that the police would be working alongside other bodies under the inter-agency consultative committee on election security (ICCES).
He noted that only vehicles designated for essential services, such as ambulances, fire trucks, and patrol vans of ICCES security agencies, would be allowed on the roads.
“All other vehicles, including those belonging to any quasi-security outfit and state security agencies, are barred from movement, as no state-owned security agency is authorised to participate in the election security operations, in line with the electoral act,” Hundeyin said.
He explained that medical personnel on emergency duty, LASIEC-accredited officials, election observers, and journalists cleared by the electoral body are not affected by the restriction.
“These categories of groups and individuals are permitted to carry out their lawful duties during the election period, provided they adhere to all the relevant guidelines and regulations in the electoral act,” he said.
He emphasized that only those wearing official LASIEC accreditation tags would be allowed near polling areas.
“No one without the identification tag will be allowed to take part in the election,” he said.
“Anyone arrested without an identification tag will be investigated and prosecuted in line with the Electoral Act.”
