IGP Bars Amotekun, Ebubeagu, Others From Monitoring Guber, State Assembly Elections

The Inspector Gener­al of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, has barred state-owned security operatives, including the Western Nigeria Security Network codenamed Operation Amotekun and Ebubeague of the South-East region and also Benue State Community Volunteer Guards, from monitoring today’s governorship and house of assembly elections.

This is as the police boss also ordered the restriction of all forms of vehicular move­ment on roads, waterways, and other forms of transpor­tation, from 12 a.m. to 6 p.m. when polling units are expected to have closed for the day’s civic exercise.

The IGP gave exceptions to those on es­sential services such as offi­cials of the Independent Na­tional Electoral Commission (INEC), electoral observers, accredited media and observ­ers as well as emergency re­sponders, Naija News understands.

The IGP’s directive was conveyed in a statement made available to newsmen on Saturday morning through the Force Spokesman, Muyiwa Adejo­bi.

Adejobi noted, however, that the directive also excludes Federal Capital Territory where the election would not be conducted.

IGP Baba as­sured Nigerians of safety, add­ing that necessary security arrangements have been made to ensure that voters exercise their franchise with­out fear of molestation.

“Similarly, the IGP reiterates the ban on all security aides to VIPs and escorts from accompanying their principals and politi­cians to polling booths and collation centres during the election.

“The IGP also barred state-established security outfits and privately-owned outfits from participating in election security manage­ment. State-owned security outfits include the Benue State Community Volun­teer Guards, the Amotekun Corps, Ebubeagu, among others,” the statement reads.