The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has ordered water-tight security across 13 states ahead of the bye-elections scheduled to hold on Saturday, August 16, 2025.
Egbetokun, in a statement on Friday, said senior officers, including Assistant Inspectors-General (AIGs) and commissioners of police, have been deployed to supervise the elections across the affected local government areas.
He said operational logistics and tactical teams from the police mobile force, the force intelligence department, and other specialised units have also been deployed to ensure a free and fair process.
The 13 affected states include Anambra, Kano, Oyo, Taraba, Enugu, Adamawa, Edo, Jigawa, Kogi, Ogun, Zamfara, and Niger.
The police chief also announced a restriction of movement across the affected areas from 12 am to 6 pm on election day, with exemptions granted to INEC officials, accredited journalists, election observers, emergency responders, and firefighters.
Egbetokun reiterated the ban on VIPs moving around with security aides and escorts during the polls, warning that any violations will not be condoned. He also barred state-owned or private security outfits from participating in election security.
The IGP urged officers deployed for election duty to adhere strictly to the force’s standard operating procedures and warned against unprofessional conduct.
He called on citizens to remain law-abiding and assured them that all security arrangements had been put in place to ensure a smooth voting process.