The Enugu State Government and the Enugu State Police Command have announced movement restrictions and heightened security measures ahead of Saturday’s local government elections across the state.
The Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission (ENSIEC) is scheduled to conduct chairmanship and councillorship elections in the state’s 17 local government areas and 260 wards on September 26, 2026.
In a statement on Thursday, September 24, the Commissioner of Police, Enugu State Command, Mamman Giwa, ordered the massive deployment of police personnel, operational and intelligence assets across the 17 LGAs and 260 wards ahead of the elections.
The Police Command said Giwa also ordered the restriction of human and vehicular movements across the state from 8am to 4pm on election day, except for persons on essential duties and duly accredited election officials.
He further barred quasi-security outfits from participating in election security and directed all armed security personnel on VIP escort duties not to escort VIPs to polling units.
The Commissioner assured voters and the public of adequate security before, during and after the elections, in collaboration with other security agencies.
He urged eligible voters to turn out and exercise their franchise peacefully, while warning political parties, candidates and their supporters against electoral malpractices and acts capable of disrupting the conduct of the elections.
According to him, violators would face the full weight of the law.
The Police Command also urged residents to report suspicious persons and activities capable of undermining the peaceful conduct of the elections to the nearest police station or through 08032003702, 08086671202 or 08021709005.
The statement was signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, Daniel Ndukwe, on behalf of the Enugu State Command.
In a separate Public Service Announcement signed by the Secretary to the Enugu State Government, Chidiebere Onyia, on Thursday, the state government announced a restriction of vehicular movement and other forms of transportation from 6am to 4pm on Saturday.
The government said the restriction was intended to ensure the peaceful, orderly, secure and hitch-free conduct of the local government elections.
It said there would be no vehicular movement on roads or other forms of transportation within the state during the period, except persons and vehicles performing essential election-related and emergency services.
Those exempted include ENSIEC officials and accredited election personnel, security personnel deployed for election duties, accredited election observers, authorised media practitioners, health workers, ambulances, firefighters and other persons expressly authorised to perform essential election or emergency duties.
The government urged residents, political parties, candidates, supporters and other stakeholders to comply with the directive and conduct themselves peacefully and responsibly before, during and after the elections.
It also encouraged residents to exercise their civic responsibilities in accordance with guidelines issued by ENSIEC and other relevant authorities.
“Security agencies have been directed to ensure strict enforcement of this directive and to maintain law and order throughout the elections,” the statement said.
The state government acknowledged that the restriction could cause temporary inconvenience but appealed for the cooperation and understanding of residents as it works with ENSIEC and other relevant authorities to ensure peaceful and orderly elections.
The government statement was signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Chidiebere Onyia, and dated September 24, 202
