By Sylvia Akpan, Government House Correspondent
The Nigerian Police Force, Cross River State Command, and the State Government have placed total restrictions on vehicular and human movement in the affected local government areas.
The affected Local Government Areas are Biase, Obanliku, and Yala, where the rerun election will be held this Saturday 3rd February 2024.
In a press release issued on Wednesday, January 31, 2024, by the Force Command’s spokesperson, SP Irene Ugbo for the Commissioner of Police, CP Gyogon Grimah, said there would be total restrictions of all forms of vehicular movements on roads, waterways and other forms of transportation between the hours of midnight on Saturday 3rd February 2024 throughout the election excluding those on the essential services such as INEC officials, election observers, Medical personnel, accredited media, and others.
CP Grimah advised members of the public, political class, and the electorates to cooperate with the security personnel on duty for the overall interest of the State.
He noted that the Command is resolute and committed to ensuring peaceful and professional conduct as required by the rule of engagement, urging to promptly call the State Command helpline- 08133568456 for actionable intelligence or distress. Adding that “elections are not do or die affairs, but a game of choice.”
In the same vein, the State Government has reiterated the Police directives.
In the public service announcement signed by the Senior Special Adviser on Security, Major General Okoi Ubi Obono (Rtd) urged all markets in the affected local governments to take note of the timeframe and not open before then and anyone who contravenes the directive will face the full wrath of the law.”