The Anambra State Police Command has announced a total restriction of vehicular movement within and across the state on Saturday, November 8, 2025, the day of the governorship election.
According to the Command, the restriction will be in force from 12:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on election day and will affect all intra- and interstate routes, including major highways connecting Anambra to neighbouring states.
In a statement issued in Awka on Friday, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Ikenga Tochukwu, said the decision followed a meeting of security service commanders held at the State Police Headquarters on November 5.
He explained that the measure was designed to curb the movement of political thugs and criminal elements who might attempt to disrupt the electoral process, as well as to ensure the safety of lives and property during the election.
The restriction, according to the statement, applies to all forms of motorized transport, including private cars, commercial vehicles, trucks, tricycles, motorcycles, and shuttle buses.
However, certain categories of persons will be exempted, including officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), accredited journalists and election observers, medical personnel, emergency responders, and essential service providers.
SP Tochukwu noted that exempted persons must carry valid identification and clearance tags at all times to avoid being delayed or arrested by security operatives enforcing the directive.
The police spokesperson urged residents and motorists to adhere strictly to the movement restriction, stressing that the measure was not punitive but necessary to guarantee a peaceful, credible, and violence-free election.
“This arrangement is aimed at safeguarding lives and property, ensuring a peaceful election atmosphere, and guaranteeing that voters freely exercise their right to choose their preferred candidate,” Tochukwu stated.
He further called on voters to remain law-abiding and to cooperate fully with the security personnel who will be deployed across the 21 local government areas to maintain order and enforce compliance.
The police also advised interstate travellers to use alternative routes outside Anambra State during the restriction period to avoid inconvenience.
SP Tochukwu reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to providing adequate security before, during, and after the governorship election, assuring residents of the readiness of the police and sister agencies to respond swiftly to any security threat.