The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) police command, Abuja, had ran into confusion and has confused the people in the Territory, few hours to the commencement of the election of the six area council chairmen and councillors, which is now ongoing.
The command started, about four days ago by banning movement of people on the day of election from 12_midnight to 4pm, but unbanned the restriction of movement yesterday, only to wake up today, February 12, restoring the ban.
Meanwhile, the election is currently ongoing, with over one million voters trooping out in the six area council to elect their leaders.
After the initial order restricting movement on election day, the police command, yesterday, February 11, issued a statement, relaxing the restriction.
In a statement, the command had said that it decided to relax the restriction of movement as earlier announced.
“Consequently, members of the public are hereby advice to go about their normal legitimate business without the fear of harassment or molestation of any kind from any quarters.
“The Commissioner of Police FCT Police Command, CP Babaji Sunday psc. while assuring the members of public of the provision of a water tight security before, during and after the election, urges members of the public to come out in their numbers to vote for candidates of their choice.”
But today, February 12 just as people were waking up to go out and vote, the command came up with another statement, restoring the restriction.
In the statement, the command said: “based on credible intelligence at the disposal of the FCT Police Command and in the best security interest of the territory, the Fct police command has deemed it fit to restore the earlier pronounced restrictions of movement.
“The water-tight security arrangement will enable eligible voters exercise their civic responsibility.
“Consequently, the restrictions commences from 8am – 3pm of 12th February 2022, exempting those on essential services, participants and key players in the already scheduled WAEC examinations.
“The Commissioner of Police FCT Police Command CP Babaji Sunday psc, while assuring the members of the public of the Command’s commitment towards ensuring a safe environment before, during and after the election, urges residents to exercise their voting rights without the fear of molestation or harassment of any kind, from any quarters .The CP also calls on residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious or abnormal occurrence to the Police through the following emergency lines: 08032003913, 08061581938, 07057337653 and 08028940883.
Our reporter who went out to monitor the election exercise just reported that many people who heard this morning restriction announcement have refused to come out to cast their votes. This is even as others who did not hear the restored restriction are battling the security agents, arguing that the last thing they heard yesterday was that restriction had been lifted.
Our reporters on the field however, said that as at the time of going on the air, there has been no major incidence recorded in the six area councils.
