By Sarah NEGEDU
The Police Command in the Federal Capital Territory has announced a 12-hour restriction of movement across the territory, as residents head to the polls for Saturday’s Area Council elections.
In a statement issued on Friday, the Command’s spokesperson, SP Josephine Adeh, said movement will be restricted from 6:00am to 6:00pm on February 21, 2026, except for essential service providers and duly accredited election officials.
She noted that the decision, approved by the Commissioner of Police, Miller Dantawaye, is aimed at ensuring a peaceful, safe, and credible electoral process across the territory.
“The Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, Miller G. Dantawaye, has announced a restriction of movement across the Federal Capital Territory from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM on Saturday, 21st February, 2026, in view of the scheduled Area Council Elections.”
The Command urged residents to cooperate with security agencies and to report suspicious persons or activities via its emergency lines: 08032003913 and 08061581938.
This is coming hours after the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, declared Friday a work-free day and also announced a total restriction of movement from 8pm on Friday to 6pm on Saturday.
The Minister had in a special broadcast on Thursday said the move was part of security measures to ensure smooth conduct of the February 21 elections.
He said, “As we exercise our democratic right, let us do so in an orderly and lawful manner. Let us respect the rules, respect each other, and respect the outcome of the election. We must show the world that we are a mature and responsible electorate, capable of conducting ourselves with dignity and decorum.
“At this juncture, with the approval of the President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, I hereby declare Friday, February 20, 2026, as a Work Free Day to enable movement of residents to their various communities to participate in the elections.
“Similarly, the President has approved the restriction of movement within the FCT from 8pm of Friday, February 20 to 6pm of Saturday, February 21, 2026. Consequently, all security agencies are directed to ensure strict compliance with this directive.”
