The Police has advised motorists coming from the Northern and Southern parts of the country to avoid all roads in Kogi State between 6:30 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 21.
Mr Sotonye Wakama, the Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIG) in charge of Operations, who disclosed this to newsmen in Lokoja on Friday, said that the advice became necessary as all roads leading into and out of the state would be closed to traffic during the period.
He said that motorists that were not on election duty would be stopped and searched, saying that the restriction was to save road users from inconveniences.
Wakama, who was deployed to Kogi State to take charge of security during the governorship election holding on Nov. 21, said that the police would be strict in its implementation of the restriction order, stressing that nobody would be allowed to violate the order.
“If you don’t have any business with the election, stay at home,” Wakama said.
He advised voters to feel free to come out and vote, but warned them against any unruly behavior at polling units.
Wakama also said that the police was aware of the intended activities of some political thugs, saying that his men would come down heavily on anybody trying to disturb the peace of the state during the election.
“If they think they have the will to challenge the Federal might, we will meet up with that challenge, to the best of our ability,” he said.
The DIG said policemen that will be on duty at the police stations have been directed to video and photograph any incident, to enable the police track and arrest the perpetrators and their sponsors.
Wakama also advised supporters and members of political parties contesting the election to comport and exercise restraint in their utterances and actions in response to the results of the poll.
On allegations that soldiers have been deployed to the state for the election, Wakama confirmed that soldiers were on ground in the state but that they had no business with the election.
“They will only come in if I invite them ,” he added. (NAN)
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