Police Restrict Movement Ahead Of Ekiti Guber Election

According to Ireporter Online, the Ekiti State Command of the Nigeria Police Force has announced a restriction of movement across the state ahead of the governorship election scheduled for Saturday, June 20, 2026.

The restriction, as disclosed in a statement issued on Friday by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Sunday Abutu, will be in effect from 12:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and will cover all intra-state and inter-state roads within Ekiti State. The measure forms part of broader security arrangements designed to ensure a peaceful, orderly, and violence-free electoral process.

The command stated that the directive applies to all forms of motorized transport, including private and commercial vehicles, trucks, tricycles, and motorcycles. However, students and candidates sitting for national examinations and assessments are exempted and will be allowed free movement to their respective centres.

Travellers passing through the state on election day have been advised to make alternative travel arrangements and use other routes to avoid disruption. In addition, 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 be permitted movement, provided they present valid identification and clearance tags.

The police further clarified that VIPs with armed escorts will not be allowed to move to polling units or collation centres during the restriction period. It also prohibited vigilante groups, quasi-security outfits, and volunteer security organisations from participating in election security operations.

SP Abutu also noted that construction activities across the state should be suspended during the election period for safety reasons. He added that only personnel from recognised security agencies and members of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) will be authorized to provide security at polling units, collation centres, and other designated election facilities.

The Commissioner of Police in charge of the election, CP Abayomi Shogunle, urged residents to come out peacefully and exercise their civic responsibility, assuring that adequate security measures have been put in place before, during, and after the poll. He also called on members of the public to remain law-abiding and to report any suspicious activities to the nearest security authority.