Considering the forthcoming rerun elections in Igbo-Eze North/Udenu Federal Constituency and Enugu South I State Constituency, scheduled for Saturday, February 3, 2024, by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Commissioner of Police, Enugu State Command, CP Kanayo Uzuegbu, has ordered the massive deployment of Police Operatives and other resources to ensure hitch-free rerun elections in the slated areas.
He additionally orders the restriction of non-essential and unauthorized human and vehicular movements in Igbo-Eze North and Udenu Local Government Areas from 12 a.m. to 6 p.m. on election day.
Furthermore, the Commissioner of Police, in compliance with the directives of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, has restated the ban and restriction of all security aides to VIPs and escorts from accompanying their principals and politicians to polling booths and collation centres during the election.
This is in addition to barring State-established and owned security outfits and organizations, like the Neighbourhood Watch Group and the Forest Guards, other quasi-security units, and privately owned guard and security outfits from participating in the elections’ security management.
Consequently, the Commissioner has reaffirmed the preparedness of the Police and other security agencies in the State to ensure maximum security and safety before, during, and beyond the period of the elections.
He, therefore, urges the electorate in the areas to massively go out and exercise their franchise without fear of intimidation or molestation.
To this end, the CP has cautioned political parties, their candidates, and their supporters against conducting themselves in ways capable of contravening provisions of the Electoral Act 2022 (as amended) and breaching public peace during the elections.
He warns that anyone found wanting will be made to face the full wrath of the law.
Meanwhile, the citizenry, particularly the electorate and residents in the areas of the rerun elections have been enjoined to be law-abiding, vigilant, and promptly report acts of crime and observed electoral offences to the nearest police station or call 08032003702, 08086671202, 0809880172, or 08075390883.
