2023 polls: Police ban vigilantes, hunters, others

The Police Command of Yobe State has said that there will be a restriction of movement on the 25th February, 2023.

This was contained in a statement by the command’s Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Dungus Abdulkarim on Monday.

The command stated that quasi-security outfits such as Vigilante/Hunters groups; YOROTA; Man ‘O’ War; Boys Scout; Boys Brigade; voluntary organizations, as well as other local security groups are banned from participating in the conduct of the general elections by the Electoral Act 2022.

The police spokesman said enforcement of the restriction starts from 6am to 6pm on 25th February, 2023, except for those on essential services, while urging voters to go back to their respective homes after casting their votes and await the declaration of election results.

Part of the statement reads,
“It should be noted that quasi-security outfits such as: Vigilante/Hunters groups; YOROTA; Man ‘O’ War; Boys Scout; Boys Brigade; voluntary organizations, as well as other local security groups are exempted from participating in the conduct of the general elections by the Electoral Act 2022.

“Any person(s) found flouting the electoral laws or going about with arms is liable to be apprehended and prosecuted”, the command warned.

The CP, Haruna Garba, while demonstrating his preparedness towards a hitch-free and credible general elections, tasked all police personnel and other law enforcement agencies deployed for the national assignment to respect human rights, extant laws, rules and regulations guiding the conduct of the exercise.

He further urged the good people of Yobe State to cooperate with security personnel and render support to ensure the success of the exercise in the state.

“Accordingly, they are advised to discharge their civic responsibility of reporting any untoward activity that might disrupt the peaceful conduct of the general elections”, he said.