The federal government has ordered the closure of all land borders from noon on Friday to noon on Sunday.
This order was contained in a statement by the Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Immigration Service, Muhammad Babandede, on behalf of the Minister of Interior, Abdulrahman Dambazau.
The statement in part read “Further to the presidential election taking place on February 16, 2019, the Honourable Minister of Interior has directed the closure of all Nigerian land borders with effect from 12.00noon of Friday, February 15 to 12.00noon of Sunday, February 17, 2019.
“This is to restrict movements across the borders during the election days. The public is to take note and ensure compliance.”
The minister also stated that there will be restriction of movement across the borders during the election days.
Similarly, the police said vehicular movement would be put on hold from 6 am to 6 pm on election days.
A statement by the police spokesman, Frank Mba, in Abuja detailed that the restrain on movement would aid the security agencies to do their jobs effectively as well as avert hoodlums from disrupting the electoral process.
The statement read “As part of efforts in furtherance of the overall interest of public order, public well-being and safety and national security as it relates to the general elections billed to take place on Saturday, February 16, 2019, the Inspector General of Police, Ag. IGP Muhammed Adamu, has ordered the restriction of vehicular movement from 6 am to 6 pm on Saturday, 16th February 2019.
“The IGP notes that the restriction will assist the security agencies in effectively policing the electoral process, thereby preventing hoodlums and criminally-minded elements from hijacking and disrupting the electoral process.”
Nigeria holds presidential and parliamentary elections on Saturday 16 and State elections are scheduled to take place on March 2, 2019.
