By-Election Tension: IGP Imposes Movement Ban, Bars VIP Escorts In 13 States

Ahead of the by-elections scheduled for Saturday, August 16, 2025, in 13 states across the country, Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun has ordered movement restrictions in the affected areas.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

In a statement issued by Force Public Relations Officer Muyiwa Adejobi, the IGP reaffirmed earlier directives to deploy operational logistics to the states and local government areas hosting the polls, ensuring a secure environment for free and fair elections.

The states affected are Anambra, Kano, Oyo, Taraba, Enugu, Adamawa, Edo, Jigawa, Kogi, Ogun, Zamfara, and Niger.

According to the statement, senior police officers at the rank of Assistant Inspector-General and Commissioners of Police will be deployed to assist state commands in supervising the electoral process. Additional personnel from the Police Mobile Force, Special Intervention Squad, Force Intelligence Department, and other tactical units will also be on the ground.

The IGP has further ordered a restriction on all vehicular, waterway, and other transportation movements within affected local government areas from midnight to 6 p.m. on election day. Exemptions apply to essential services, including INEC officials, accredited journalists, election observers, ambulances attending to emergencies, and firefighters.