The Nigeria Police Force has announced a statewide restriction on vehicular movement ahead of Saturday’s governorship election in Ekiti State.

According to a statement issued on Friday by the Police Public Relations Officer, Sunday Abutu, the restriction will take effect from 12:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on election day and will cover both intra-state and inter-state roads across the state.

The police said the measure is part of broader security arrangements designed to ensure a peaceful and violence-free electoral process by preventing the movement of political thugs and other criminal elements.

The restriction applies to all forms of motorised transportation, including private and commercial vehicles, trucks, tricycles and motorcycles. Travellers planning to pass through Ekiti during the affected period have been advised to use alternative routes.

However, students and candidates sitting for national examinations or assessments will be exempted from the restriction and allowed to proceed to their examination centres.

Other exempted groups include officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission, accredited journalists, local and international election observers, medical personnel, emergency responders and providers of essential services. Such individuals must carry valid identification and clearance tags.

The command also stated that emergency medical movements would be permitted throughout the restriction period.

Police further warned that the movement of VIPs accompanied by armed escorts or security aides to polling units and collation centres would not be allowed.

In addition, vigilante groups, quasi-security outfits and volunteer groups have been barred from providing security services at polling units or collation centres. Construction companies have also been directed to suspend road construction activities during the election period for safety reasons.

The police stressed that only personnel from security agencies participating in the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security will be authorised to provide election security.

The Commissioner of Police for the Ekiti Governorship Election, Abayomi Shogunle, urged registered voters to turn out peacefully and cooperate with security personnel deployed across the state.

He assured residents of the police’s commitment to protecting lives and property before, during and after the election.

The command also encouraged residents to report suspicious activities or security concerns through the nearest security agency or the police emergency line.