Police close Osun state entry points, restrict movement

Police close Osun state entry points, restrict movement

Wednesday, August 6, 2014 8:06 pm


GBENRO ADESINA/SIMON ATEBA/JETHRO IBIKUNLE/Osogbo

Ahead of the  governorship election in the State of Osun scheduled for Saturday August 9 , the acting inspector General of Police, Mr. Suleiman Abba has announced that all entry points to the state  would be closed from Thursday, 48 hours to the election.

He said the cordon would not be lifted until 7 pm on the election day.

The police boss announced the ‘extra-ordinary’ security measure   at  a meeting with stakeholders called by the Independent National Electoral Commission.

The meeting held at Leisure Hotel, Osogbo.

The police boss further stated that  movement would be restricted from 7am till 7pm on the election day warning everybody to comply with the electoral laws to avoid the wrath of the law. 

The IGP further justified the use of hoods by some security personnel sent to the state.

 “There is nothing wrong about security enforcement agents using mask to cover their faces during an election. It is normal for detectives to use it. They are using it in the Western world. But whether mask or no mask, all the security operatives will use security tags meant for this election”.

Abba further stated that everything would be done to protect INEC officials and the  voters,    warning that ballot boxes and  ballot paper thieves should not to attempt to do anything funny during the election as police would do everything possible to safeguard sensitive materials on the election day.

“If you snatch ballot box and we shout stop and you do not stop, we will use all the power that we have to stop you” he stated.

He said voters  could stay around calmly and quietly around polling booths to monitor their votes but warned  loiterers to stay clear of the election vicinity at least, 300 metre  radius to avoid being arrested and prosecuted.

 


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