With the bye elections coming up on Saturday, February 3, 2024, in Akoko North East and North West Local Government Areas, the Ondo State Police Command has deployed personnel to the areas to ensure peace, safety and smooth running of the polls.
This was made known in a statement by the command’s Police Public Relations Officer, SP Funmilayo Odunlami-Omisanya,
on behalf of the Commissioner of Police.
The police command also restricted human and vehicular movements in the two Local Government Areas from 12:00 midnight to 6:00p.m on Saturday.
However, those on special duties, medics and all other relevant organisations that are involved in the election m for emergencies are exempted from the restriction.
The statement further read that the Inspector-General of Police, Dr Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, also ordered that all security aides to Very Important Personalities (VIPs) should not be allowed to accompany their principals to polling booths or collation centres during the election.
Also, state-owned security and private security outfits were banned from participating in the election, as adequate provisions had been made to ensure free and fair election, without disenfranchising legible voters from carrying out their civic duties.
“The command is using this medium to warn all contestants and their supporters to maintain law and order, as well as embrace the spirit of sportsmanship.
“Parents and guardians are to warn their children/wards not to allow themselves to be used as a tool of distruption/political thuggery, as anyone caught in the web of such will be made to face the full wrath of the law,” the PPRO said in the statement.
In case of any complaints or emergencies during the election, mobile phone numbers 07034313903 and 08037253141 had been made open to anyone that would need to call, she stated.
