Police deploy officers in Rivers as results collations begin Tuesday, April 2
- The Nigerian Police Force (NPF) in Rivers, ahead of the collation of results on Tuesday, April 2, is making a some preparations
- The police spokesman in the state, DSP Nnamdi Omoni, said that the command has deployed some officers to be on red alert in some strategic locations
- Omoni said that areas like Waterlines and GRA Junction axis of Port Harcourt/Aba Expressway will be shut to traffic during the exercise
The police command in Rivers state on Monday, April 1, said it has commenced the deployment of personnel at strategic areas and collation centres for election results collation scheduled to begin in the state on Tuesday, April 2.
The command’s spokesman, DSP Nnamdi Omoni, made this known in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Monday, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.
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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had on March 21, announced the resumption of collation and announcement of results in the state between April 2 and April 5.
According to Omoni, the decision to deploy personnel at strategic locations was reached following a meeting between the state police commissioner and the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security.
He said: “ICCES agreed to put in place adequate security measures to ensure that the entire process is transparent and seamlessly carried out.
“Part of the security measures that were agreed upon include massive deployment of Police personnel and other sister security agencies to the venue and the outer perimeter of collation centres."
Omoni said that Waterlines and GRA Junction axis of Port Harcourt/Aba Expressway would be shut to traffic during the duration of the exercise.
He said that both lanes of the road would be closed to motorists, advising road users to divert to Olu Obasanjo and Polo Club Roads.
"The police note with concern the temporary hardship the closure will cause. We appeal to the public to show understanding and bear with us.
“The closure is done in the overall interest of the public, as well as to provide a conducive atmosphere for the collation.
“Politicians, candidates and, indeed, unauthorised persons are warned to steer clear of the collation centres,” he said.
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The police spokesperson warned that any individual or group seen undermining the process would be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the Electoral Act.
Omoni solicited for the cooperation and support of the public towards a successful conduct of the exercise.
Meanwhile, Legit.ng reported that some police officials on Thursday, February 14, barricaded the entrance to the Rivers state headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Port Harcourt.
Added to this, security agents mounted a blockade across the road near INEC's office in the state, Sahara Reporters reports.
The development, as it is claimed, may be linked with the proposed protest of members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers following the nullification of the party's primaries by court order, leading to the exclusion of their candidates from the general polls.
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