The Rivers State Police Command has announced a restriction of movement across seven local government areas ahead of Saturday’s Senatorial By-election in the Rivers South-East Senatorial District.
The affected local government areas are Andoni, Tai, Khana, Gokana, Eleme, Oyigbo, and Opobo/Nkoro, where voters are expected to elect a new senator to fill the vacancy created by the death of former lawmaker, Senator Barinada Mpigi.
Key Highlights:
- Rivers Police announce movement restriction in seven LGAs ahead of the Senatorial By-election.
- Restriction covers Andoni, Tai, Khana, Gokana, Eleme, Oyigbo, and Opobo/Nkoro.
- Exercise begins from 12:00 a.m. on June 19 and ends at 6:00 p.m. on June 20.
- Election is being conducted to fill the vacant Rivers South-East Senatorial seat.
- Accredited INEC officials, security personnel, and emergency service providers are exempted.
- Police warn against vote-buying, electoral violence, and voter intimidation.
- Robust security measures have been deployed to ensure a peaceful and credible election.
In a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Blessing Agabe, the command said the restriction forms part of comprehensive security measures designed to ensure a peaceful, orderly, free, fair, and credible electoral process.
According to the statement, the restriction order will take effect from 12:00 a.m. on Friday, June 19, 2026, and remain in force until 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 20, 2026.
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“The restriction is aimed at enhancing public safety, protecting electoral officials and materials, preventing electoral malpractices, and creating a secure environment for eligible voters to exercise their civic responsibility without fear, intimidation, or harassment,” the statement noted.
The command, however, clarified that the restriction will not apply to accredited officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security personnel on election duty, ambulance and emergency service providers, fire service personnel, and other essential service operators.
The Rivers State Police Command warned that any individual or group found violating the movement restriction order or engaging in activities capable of disrupting the electoral process would face prosecution.
The command specifically cautioned against electoral violence, vote-buying, voter intimidation, political thuggery, and other unlawful acts that could undermine the integrity of the election.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police in Rivers State, CP Olugbenga Adepoju, urged political parties, candidates, supporters, community leaders, youth groups, and residents of the affected local government areas to remain peaceful and law-abiding throughout the electoral exercise.
He stressed that the success of the Senatorial By-election depends on the collective commitment of all stakeholders to uphold the rule of law and promote peaceful participation.
Adepoju further assured residents that adequate security arrangements had been put in place in collaboration with other security agencies to protect lives and property, safeguard electoral materials, and ensure a transparent and credible election.
The police command reiterated its commitment to maintaining law and order throughout the electoral process and encouraged eligible voters to turn out peacefully to exercise their democratic rights.
