Benjamin Hundeyin, police spokesperson in Lagos, said in a statement issued on Wednesday that the commissioner ordered the deployment of operatives to ensure a hitch-free election.

Hundeyin added that vehicular movement will be restricted across Lagos from 3am to 3pm on Saturday, noting that the restriction applies to all roads and waterways in the state.

“Elaborate security arrangements and comprehensive security measures have been put in place to ensure security, safety, and peaceful and orderly conduct of the LG elections,” the statement reads.

“Police escorts covered number plates, and the use of sirens at or in the vicinity of polling units and collation centres are prohibited.”

He said the police would work with other agencies under the inter-agency consultative committee on election security (ICCES).

He added that only vehicles designated for essential duties, such as ambulances, fire trucks, and patrol vans operated by ICCES security agencies, will be permitted on the roads.

“All other vehicles, including those belonging to any quasi-security outfit and state security agencies, are barred from movement, as no state-owned security agency is authorised to participate in the election security operations, in line with the electoral act,” Hundeyin said.

He clarified that medical workers on emergency duty, accredited officials of the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC), election observers, and journalists approved by the electoral commission are exempt from the restriction.

“These categories of groups and individuals are permitted to carry out their lawful duties during the election period, provided they adhere to all the relevant guidelines and regulations in the electoral act,” he said.

He said only persons wearing official LASIEC accreditation tags would be allowed access to polling environments.

“No one without the identification tag will be allowed to take part in the election,” he said.

“Anyone arrested without an identification tag will be investigated and prosecuted in line with the Electoral Act.”