Police Restricts Movement in Lagos Saturday for By-Elections

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

Movements in and out of Lagos East Senatorial District and Kosofe 11 Constituency have been restriction from 6am to 6pm on Saturday, December 5, 2020.

This is because there would be by-elections in the areas tomorrow and the Lagos State Police Command said in order to have free, fair and credible exercises, this action had to be taken.

In a statement, the Commissioner of Police for Lagos, Mr Hakeem Odumosu, stressed that securities operatives will frown against the vehicular and pedestrian movement in and out of the affected local government areas during the elections on Saturday.

However, he maintained that those on election duties, essential services and accredited domestic and foreign election observers will be allowed passage.

He said the affected councils include Epe, Ibeju Lekki, Kosofe Somolu and Ikorodu, warning the electorates and political gladiators to play the game according to the rules and provisions of the Electoral Act 2010.

He emphasised that no police aides or security agents will be allowed to escort their principals or any Very Important Personalities (VIPs) to polling units or on any movement while the elections last.

While maintaining that any security aides caught violating this directive will be arrested and made to face the full weight of the law, Mr Odumosu assured the general public of safety and smooth conduct of the elections.

He reaffirmed the commitment of the police to achieving free, fair, credible and acceptable elections in the affected local government areas.

On Thursday, the police chief held talks with election monitoring officers deployed from the Force Headquarters, Abuja, on the strategies put in place to assist and monitor the elections in Lagos State.

The election monitoring team, which comprises two Commissioners of Police, some Assistant Commissioners of Police and other officers, led by the Commissioner of Police, Community Policing, Force Headquarters, Mr Kola Okunola, reported to Lagos State Command yesterday in preparation for the deployment and monitoring of police personnel and other security agents detailed for the election duties in 1,928 polling units.