With barely two days to the February 16, presidential election across the country, here in Rivers State, an additional 15,544 police personnel have been deployed to the state to forestall possible breakdown of law and order before, during and after the polls.
Speaking at a joint security briefing on Thursday in Port Harcourt, the State Commissioner of Police, Usman Belel announced total restriction of movements of persons and vehicles from 12-midnight on Friday, February 15 to 4 pm on Saturday February 16, adding that only those on essential duties are allowed to move around during the restriction hours.
The state police boss said, “All entry and exit points will be blocked and movement will not be allowed in and out of the state until the elections are over.
He directed, “That no canopies should be erected close to any polling unit by food vendors or any commercial activities carried out close to any polling unit except by INEC where necessary”
CP Belel also barred very important personnel (VIPs) and politicians from going to polling units with their security details on the day of the election.
The state police boss further assured the public of a violence-free election, maintaining that there will be a radical departure from the past elections usually characterized by violence.
The briefing was attended by representatives of other sister security agaencies.
