Police ban movement on land, water on Saturday for Lagos LG election 

The Lagos State Police Command has said there will be total restriction on movements within the state on Saturday, July 12, 2025, between 3am and 3pm.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, explained in a statement on Wednesday that the command’s no-movement order on road and water was to allow a seamless conduct of the Local Government elections taking place on that day.

He said, “An elaborate security arrangements and comprehensive security measures have been put in place to ensure security, safety, peaceful and orderly conduct of the Local Government Elections scheduled for Saturday, July 12, 2025 in the 20 LGAs and 37 LCDAs.

“To this end, the Lagos State Police Command in full agreement with the other security and safety agencies complimenting the Police under the Interagency Consultative Committee on Elections Security (ICCES) in Lagos State and other critical stakeholders in the election, putting into cognizance foremost public interest to enable adequate security, peaceful conduct and safety before, during and after the election, and also to effectively implement the robust security arrangements to protect and safeguard the election, the electorates, LASEIC officials and adhoc staff and electoral processes and other members of public not participating in the election, hereby wishes to announce and inform the general public in Lagos State of total restriction of vehicular movement throughout Lagos State from 3am on Saturday 12th July, 2025 till 3pm of same Saturday 12th July, 2025. This restriction will be strictly enforced across the entirety of Lagos State. The restriction of vehicular movement will apply to all roads and waterways  within Lagos State jurisdiction.”

The PPRO added that in compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act, other measures had been put in place, including the prohibition on Armed Escorts and Security aides in the polling units and collations centers.

“Police escorts and Armed Security aides are strictly prohibited from accompanying their principals to polling units or collation centers. This measure is to prevent any undue influence or intimidation during the election,” Hundeyin said.

He also announced ban on use of sirens and covered number plates, adding that only vehicles designated for essential services—such as ambulances, fire trucks, and patrol vehicles operated by security agencies in the Interagency Consultative Committee on Elections Security(ICCES) were permitted to operate during the restriction period.

“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 authorized to participate in the election security operations, in line with the Electoral Act.”

The police  spokesman further stated that the movement restriction would not apply to essential services such as those on medical emergency and other emergency responders and their workers, the duly accredited officials of the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC), and accredited election observers  and media practitioners on election coverage accredited by the Lagos State Independence Electoral Commission (LASIEC).

“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.

Hundeyin reiterate that the Lagos State Police Command with other security and safety agencies under the ICCES would enforce in total the compliance with the restrictions of vehicular movement within the stipulated time.

He added, “Any violation of these restrictions will be met with swift arrest of the offender(s) and their immediate prosecution. The police personnel, other security and safety agencies personnel and operatives have been duly authorised to enforce these measures and maintain law and order throughout the election period.

“They are under strict instructions to be polite, professional and firm in carrying out their duties, and accord members of the public utmost respect, in observance of their human rights and dignity of human persons.

“Members of the general public are hereby advised to take into consideration this restriction time and adjust their traveling plans, most especially those coming into the state from other parts of the country

“All the security agencies personnel and other stakeholders, including the media and election observers accredited by LASEIC for the election will be in possession and wear their identification tags certified by LASEIC throughout the period of the Election. No one without the identification tag will be allowed to take part in the election. Anyone arrested without identification tag will be investigated and prosecuted in line with the electoral act.

“The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Olohundare Jimoh, further implores the general public to show respect to the police officers and personnel of other security and safety agencies that are deployed to their localities for security and other obligations for the security of election. Lagosians are urged to demonstrate peaceful disposition in observing their civic responsibilities and comply fully with these regulations as they exercise their democratic right to vote and be voted for.

“The command hereby sternly warns all miscreants, hoodlums, and thugs to stay away from the polling units, collations centers and other statutory places where the electoral processes are designated to take place throughout the State. The police and other security agencies involved in the security of the election will not hesitate to apply the full weight of the law on any person(s) or group of persons planning to disrupt the election. Suspected miscreants, hoodlums and thugs and their sponsors will be promptly arrested, investigated and prosecuted.

“All the 15 political parties participating in the election and their leaderships in the state are enjoined to warn their members and supporters to abide by the electoral act in total and play the game according to the rules. The police will not tolerate any overzealous and unnecessary dramatisations that can cause disturbances of the peace or disruption of the electoral process at any stage.

“The full extent of the law will be applied on any violator or those who may attempt to violate the law during the period.

“Parents and guardians are also implored to prevail on their children and wards to desist from any act of violence, intimidation or harassment of people at the polling units, collations centers or any other area throughout the period of the election and beyond.

“The public are further encouraged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious persons or activities in their vicinity by promptly contacting the police via the designated emergency lines: 08063299264 or 08065154338.

“The Lagos State Police Command remains committed to ensuring a secure, safe and credible election. And hereby appreciates in advance the cooperation of all residents in the implementation of the security arrangements for the July 12, 2025 Local Government Elections in Lagos State.”