Police in Rivers beef up security for LG elections

The Police Command in Rivers State said it has concluded security arrangements for local government council elections slated for May 23 in the state.
This was contained in a statement by DSP Ahmad Muhammad, the command’s spokesman, in Port Harcourt on Friday.
Muhammad said the command would provide adequate security to ensure peaceful elections.
According to him, policemen on election duty have been properly briefed on their roles as stipulated in the Electoral Act and also warned to be professional, neutral and non-partisan.
He, however, said they should be firm in their approach to duty and relations with the public.
The spokesman said the command had ordered restriction of movement in the state from 10pm on May 22 to 6am on May 23.
He said the second phase of the restriction would be from 9am to 6pm on May 23.
Muhammad explained that the restriction was to ensure that there was peace in the state before, during and after the election.
According to the spokesman, only those on essential services like fire service, ambulance services and accredited election observers will be allowed to move around.
The others were vehicles used by law enforcement agencies and the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission.
He advised the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious movement to the nearest police station for immediate action.
NAN.