The Federal Capital Territory Police (FCT) Command on Friday night announced restriction of movement of residents from 8a.m. to 3p.m. on Saturday to enable a seamless conduct of area council elections.
The FCT Commissioner of Police, Babaji Sunday, made the disclosure in a statement made available to newsmen, on Friday in Abuja.
It was a volte-face of sort as the police had relaxed the restriction they initially announced on Thursday, urging residents to go about their normal businesses.
The Commissioner explained that the new restriction on the movement was based on credible intelligence available to the FCT Police Command.
“Criminals are planning to explore the absence of restriction of movement earlier announced to distrupt the peaceful conduct of the Area Council Elections.
“Accordingly, the FCT police found it necessary to restrict all movement from 8a.m. to 3p.m. on Saturday Feb. 12.,” he said.
Sunday, said that the restriction of movement would enable eligible voters exercise their civil responsibility.
He, however, said that only those on essential services would be allowed.
He enjoined residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious or abnormal occurrence to the Police through 08032003913, 08061581938, 07057337653 and 08028940883.
The FCT area council election is the only council poll conducted by Independent National Electoral Commission.
Fourteen political parties, 473 candidates are contesting in the polls.
Out of the candidates, 363 are vying for 62 councillorship positions in the six area councils.
