Elections update: Security beefed up in FCT

Security has been beefed up in the FCT on Saturday for the Presidential and National Assembly elections. Additional check points manned by soldiers have been created with the soldiers enforcing strict restriction of movement order. Though they were civil in the enforcement, the military men subjected motorists, including those on election and other essential duties to thorough search. Mr Wilson Inalegwu, the Commissiooner of Police in the FCT, who led other head of security agencies to monitor the accreditation of voters, said that there was no cause for alarm. He assured of adequate deployment of security personnel to all polling centres and urged voters to go out and exercise their franchise without fear. Many security personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) were deployed to the Area 2 Poling Centre in the territory. However, policemen had yet to arrive at the venue as the time of filing this report. A police officer who preferred anonymity, said the policemen deployed to the polling unit order had moved to the INEC Materials Distribution Centre. He said this was to enable them escort the voting materials safely to the polling centre. Meanwhile, voters in Kuje, FCT, have commended security agencies for maintaining law and order at the Science Primary School Polling Centre, Kuje. Mr Kola Idowu told NAN that the security operatives were being professional in handling issues at the centre. Also, Hajiya Fatimah Lawal said she appreciated the manner she was screened by a female security officer. Armed soldiers also patrolled the area, screening human and vehicular movements to and from the town.