Ekiti 2026: Police announce movement restriction

THE Ekiti State Police Command has announced a restriction on vehicular movement across the state during Saturday’s governorship election.

The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Sunday Abutu, disclosed this in a statement in Ado-Ekiti on Friday.

Abutu said that the restriction would take effect from midnight (12:00 a.m) to 6:00 p.m and cover both intra-state and inter-state roads within Ekiti.

He said the measure was part of comprehensive security arrangements aimed at ensuring a peaceful, orderly and violence-free election.

According to him, the restriction would apply to all forms of motorised transportation, including private and commercial vehicles, trucks, tricycles and motorcycles.

Students and candidates participating in national structured examinations and assessments are exempted from the restriction and are allowed to proceed to their examination centres.

“Travellers intending to pass through the state on election day are therefore advised to make alternative arrangements and use other routes.

“Accredited officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, ad-hoc staff, journalists, election observers, medical personnel, emergency responders and other essential service providers will however be permitted to move during the restriction period, provided they carry valid identification and clearance tags,” he said.

The command’s spokesperson added that movement of VIPs with armed escorts to polling units and collation centres would not be allowed, advising construction companies undertaking road projects in the state to suspend active construction work for the duration of the election, citing safety concerns.

He said that only personnel of recognised security agencies and organisations under the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security, ICCES, would be authorised to provide security at polling units, collation centres and other election facilities.