Security operatives ensured a peaceful exercise as residents voted in chairmanship and councillorship elections across the Federal Capital Territory on Saturday.
There was a heavy deployment of police personnel and other security agencies across the six area councils — Abuja Municipal Area Council, Gwagwalada, Kuje, Abaji and Bwari. Personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, the military and the Department of State Services were also on ground.
The FCT Commissioner of Police, Miller G. Dantawaye, redeployed divisional police officers on the directive of the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to prevent compromise and safeguard the integrity of the elections.
The redeployment, according to the command, was part of measures to strengthen operational effectiveness and uphold professionalism before, during and after the polls.
Monitoring across the councils showed that police officers maintained a reasonable distance from polling units while remaining alert to respond to any threats or violence.
A member of the African Democratic Congress at a polling unit in Nyanya, Musa Maigida, commended the conduct of security personnel.
“So far, the process is ongoing and we have not had any harassment from the police,” he said. “They have been professional, and we are happy with their conduct. We expect them to remain nonpartisan.”
The police also enforced a restriction of movement across the territory. Movement was restricted from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., with only essential workers and accredited election officials granted access after proper identification.
Police spokesperson Josephine Adeh said the measures were aimed at ensuring a safe, free and credible electoral process.
The command urged residents to remain law-abiding and cooperate with security agencies.
