LG Poll: Lagos Police Announce 12-Hour Movement Restriction, Ban Escorts At Polling Units

The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Jimoh Olohundare, has announced a 12-hour restriction on movement across the state, ahead of Saturday’s local government elections in Lagos State.

According to a statement issued on Wednesday by the Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, the restriction will take effect from 3:00 am to 3:00 pm on Saturday, July 12, 2025, covering both roads and waterways.

Naijaonpoint reports that Jimoh said the movement restriction was part of broader efforts to ensure a peaceful, secure, and orderly conduct of the elections.

The statement said, “The Consultative Committee on Elections Security in Lagos State, in consultation with critical stakeholders, has reviewed public safety concerns and agreed on the restriction to facilitate the smooth conduct of the polls.”

He noted that comprehensive security arrangements have been put in place, with a massive deployment of personnel from the Nigeria Police Force and other sister agencies under the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES).

The police commissioner also prohibited the use of sirens, covered number plates, and the presence of police escorts or armed aides at polling units or collation centres, warning that any breach would not be tolerated.

“No security escort or aide is permitted to accompany any principal to a polling unit or collation centre,” Jimoh warned, adding that such actions could influence or intimidate voters.

Vehicles belonging to state-owned security outfits or quasi-security agencies are barred from participating in election security operations, as they are not authorised under the Electoral Act.

Jimoh, however, clarified that the restriction does not apply to essential service providers, including:

Ambulances

Fire service vehicles

Security patrol teams of agencies under ICCES

LASIEC-accredited election observers and media professionals

Individuals responding to medical emergencies

“All those permitted to move during the restriction must wear their LASIEC-issued identification tags, without which they will be stopped and possibly prosecuted,” he added.

The commissioner cautioned against attempts to bypass the restrictions under false pretences, stating that anyone found without proper identification would be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with electoral laws.