By STANLEY NWANOSIKE

The Commissioner of Police in Enugu State, Mr Mamman Giwa, has directed restriction of human and vehicular movements from 12a.m. to 6p.m. on June 20 in Enugu North Senatorial District.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) would be conducting a by-election on June 20 in Enugu North Senatorial District, which covers six council areas of Igbo-Etiti, Igbo Eze North, Igbo Eze South, Nsukka, Udenu, and Uzo-Uwani.

The Spokesman of Enugu State Police Command, SP Daniel Ndukwe, in a statement on Thursday in Enugu, said that the restriction excluded electoral officials and persons on verifiable essential duties.

Ndukwe noted that the movement restriction was meant to ensure a peaceful, orderly and credible electoral process.

He said that the commissioner had assured residents of the affected six council areas of adequate security before, during and after the by-election.

Meanwhile, on the directive of the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Olatunji Disu, additional personnel had been deployed to provide adequate security during the election.

Ndukwe said that they were deployed from Police Zone 13 Headquarters, Ukpo; Anambra State Police Command; Police College Oji River and Police Detective College, Enugu to strengthen security arrangements for the election.

According to him, this is in addition to personnel deployed from other security agencies operating in the state.

The spokesman said that the commissioner had urged political parties, candidates, supporters, and the electorate to conduct themselves peacefully and lawfully before, during and after the election.

He said that the state police boss had warned that thuggery, ballot-box snatching, vote-buying, violence of any form, and other electoral offences would not be tolerated.

“Anyone found culpable will be made to face the full weight of the law,” he said.

Ndukwe enjoined residents and voters in the senatorial zone to remain law-abiding and vigilant, and promptly report suspicious persons, activities, and electoral malpractices during the election to the nearest police station. (NAN)

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