Elections: FG shuts borders 12.00 noon today

Ahead of tomorrow’s rescheduled Presidential and National Assembly elections, the Federal Government has ordered the closure of all borders by noon today, as the Nigerian Police will deploy all its 350,000 personnel and assets.

    Mr. President’s seat at the Council Chambers, Presidential Villa, Abuja. Photo by Abayomi Adesida.

The Army on its part, it was gathered, will also deploy all the General Officers Commanding, GOCs, Brigade Commanders and special task forces across the country for patrol.

For the Police, all Special Forces including the Police Mobile Force, the Counter Terrorism Unit, the Police Air Wing, the Bomb Disposal Unit, the Police K9 Dog Unit, Marine Police, Police Intelligence Department and detectives of the Force Criminal Investigation Department have been mobilized and dispatched to the 36 states of the federation and FCT for the polls.

Closure of borders

A statement by the Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Immigration Service, NIS, Muhammad Babandede entitled ‘Federal Government of Nigeria Closes Border,’ said: “Further to the Presidential election taking place on February 23, 2019 (tomorrow), the Minister of Interior has directed the closure of all Nigeria land borders with effect from 12 noon on Friday, February 22, 2019 (today). This is to restrict movements across the borders during the election days.”

He also disclosed that the Federal Government has approved free visa waivers for accredited election observers and monitors, many of whose entry visas expired as a result of last weekend’s postponement of the earlier scheduled election.

NIS said: “Sequel to the rescheduling of the 2019 general elections to February 23 and March 9, 2019 and considering the plight of accredited election observers and monitors who were caught up by the rescheduled elections, the Minister of Interior, Lt. General Abdulraman Dambazau (retd) has approved a visa waiver.

“All affected individuals and organisations wishing to extend their stay or travel back to their countries and return for the next election are advised to visit Nigeria Immigration visa desk at the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, headquarters. The desk officers will attend to those requiring extension of their visa issued gratis (No fee charge).”