The Police in Enugu State have announced movement restriction on Saturday as residents go to the polls for the local government election.
NewsBits reports that the restriction will be in place from 8 am to 4 pm on election day, September 26, 2026. However, a similar announcement by the Enugu State government said the restriction would take effect from 6:00 am.
This is contained in a statement issued on Thursday by SP Daniel Ndukwe, Police Public Relations Officer, Enugu State Command State Headquarters. According to the statement, “The Commissioner of Police, Enugu State Command, CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa has ordered the massive deployment of personnel, operational and intelligence assets across the State’s 17 Local Government Areas and 260 wards for the Saturday, September 26, 2026, Chairmanship and Councillorship Elections to be conducted by the Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission (ENSIEC).
“CP Giwa has also ordered the restriction of human and vehicular movements across the State from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on election day, except for persons on essential duties and duly accredited election officials. He further barred quasi-security outfits from participating in election security and directed all armed security personnel on VIP escort duties not to escort VIPs to Polling Units.”
The Commissioner assured the electorate and the public of adequate security before, during and after the elections, in collaboration with other security agencies, and urges eligible voters to turn out and exercise their franchise. He warned political parties, candidates and their supporters against electoral malpractices and acts capable of disrupting the peaceful conduct of the elections, stressing that violators will face the full weight of the law.
“The electorate and the public are urged to promptly report suspicious persons and activities capable of undermining the peaceful conduct of the elections to the nearest Police Station or call 08032003702, 08086671202 or 08021709005,” he further stated. Meanwhile, the Enugu State Government has also announced a restriction of vehicular movement and other forms of transportation across the state for the election.
The elections, being conducted by the Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission (ENSIEC), will produce chairmen for the 17 Local Government Councils as well as councillors for the 260 wards across the state.
The government, in a statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, on Thursday, said the restriction would run from 6:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., covering roads and other forms of transportation across the state, with exemptions made for essential election-related and emergency services.
“The Government of Enugu State hereby announces a restriction of vehicular movement and other forms of transportation across the State from 6:00 am to 4:00 pm on Saturday, September 26, 2026,” the statement said, explaining that the measure was aimed at ensuring the peaceful, orderly and secure conduct of the elections.
The government said the restriction would not apply to ENSIEC officials and accredited election personnel, security personnel duly deployed for election duties, accredited election observers and authorised media practitioners, as well as health workers, ambulances, firefighters and other persons expressly authorised to perform essential election or emergency duties.
It urged residents, political parties, candidates, supporters and other stakeholders to comply with the directive and conduct themselves responsibly throughout the electoral process, while encouraging eligible voters to exercise their civic responsibilities peacefully and in line with the guidelines issued by ENSIEC and other relevant authorities.
“Security agencies have been directed to ensure strict enforcement of this directive and to maintain law and order throughout the elections,” the government stated. The government also appealed to residents to cooperate with the authorities during the temporary restriction, acknowledging that the measure could cause some inconvenience but stressing its importance to the successful conduct of the elections.
“The State Government regrets the temporary inconvenience this restriction may cause and appreciates the understanding, cooperation and support of Ndi Enugu as the State works with ENSIEC and other relevant authorities to ensure peaceful, orderly, secure and successful local government elections,” the statement added.
