LG Election: Delta Police Ban VIP Escorts, Vigilantes, Anti-cult Volunteers To Stay Away From Polls, Restrict Movement

The Delta State Police Command has announced a massive deployment of officers across the state ahead of the local government elections scheduled for July 13, 2024.

The deployment, which includes marine police, is aimed at ensuring a hitch-free election and protecting electorates, DSIEC officials, and election materials.

This was contained in a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe on behalf of the commissioner of Police Delta State CP Olufemi Abaniwonda.

The statement reads; “The Command in synergy with other sister agencies has deployed massively across the State, all polling units, RACs, collation centres, and DSIEC offices to ensure a hitch and also protect the electorates, and DSIEC officials. Marine Police have equally been deployed to the waterways to ensure that that area too is peaceful during the election”.

The command also announced a restriction of movement from 8am to 3pm on election day, except for officials on emergency and essential duties, accredited election monitors and observers, and NABTEB examination students.

“There will be restriction of vehicular movement from 0800hours (8AM) to 1500 hours (3PM) on 13/07/2024, only officials on emergency and essential duties which include accredited election monitors and observers, will be allowed passage during this time NABTEB examination students are also exempted from this restriction of movement order.

The police also warned that any violation of the restriction order will be met with the full force of the law.

“While regretting the inconveniences this will cause, members of the public are therefore advised to adhere to this instruction as anyone found wanting will be made to face the full wrath of the law.

Additionally, the command banned VIP escorts during the election and warned non-state actors, such as vigilantes and anti-cult volunteers, to stay away from polling units and the election process.

“The ban on VIP escorts during the election will also be enforced, they are therefore advised not to move with their security details on Election Day, as any officer found wanting will be arrested and sanctioned accordingly.

“The CP also advises all non-state actors (vigilante, anti-cult volunteers, hunters etc.) that they will not be playing any role whatsoever during the elections, so they are to steer clear of the polling units and the entire election process, as any of them found meddling in the election process will be decisively dealt with. While wishing residents in the state a hitch-free election, it’s pertinent to note that the success of this election to a large extent, lies on how the electorate conducts themselves”.

The statement however urged residents to be law-abiding and promised to ensure the protection of life and property, and the preservation of public tranquility before, during, and after the elections.