By Sarah NEGEDU
Streets across the Federal Capital Territory were unusually empty on Saturday as the Area Council elections got underway, with security agencies enforcing strict movement restrictions across major routes.
The typically busy Kubwa-Gwarinpa axis, known for its heavy vehicular traffic, was largely deserted except for essential workers navigating the stretch.
On the Kubwa Expressway near the Army Resource Center in Asokoro, soldiers stopped commuters who ignored the restriction, forcing them to sit beside their parked vehicles for hours. Only those on essential duties were allowed to proceed after verification of their identity cards.
A similar scene played out at Dutse Market in Bwari along the Kubwa Expressway, where soldiers prevented commuters from flouting the order.
Security enforcement were deployed across the territory. At Tipper Garage in Dutse, vigilante groups barricaded the road with wooden objects. At Ushafa/Bwari Roundabout, soldiers again turned back non-essential commuters, maintaining tight control over movement.
Also at polling centres, preparations were still underway. At LEA Primary School, Bmuko in Bwari, officials from the Independent National Electoral Commission were absent as of 7:45 a.m., while the school field had been temporarily converted into a football pitch with community members watching local matches.
In Gwarinpa, security agencies had mounted barricades at major entry points by 7:45 a.m., sealing off the stretch between Empire Energy Filling Station and Bakon Pharmacy.
At Polling Unit 118, in front of No. 86 Emeka Anyaoku Street, Area 11, Garki, INEC officials were seen setting up materials at 8:16 a.m. Two units away at Polling Unit 117, officers were still arranging equipment at 8:20 a.m., with no voters present.
The pattern continued at Polling Unit 015 in Area 8, where officials were organising materials at 8:25 a.m., and at Polling Unit 016 minutes later, where prospective voters quietly checked their names on the register as officials readied their tables.
Amid these developments, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Police Affairs, Dr. Anuma Ogbonnaya Nlia, toured Area 8 to assess the situation. Speaking at Polling Unit 015, he expressed satisfaction with security deployment.
“We are here to also monitor the election, especially the conduct of police officers and other security agencies around the polling unit.
“We want to make sure that security is provided around here, that people don’t do things that are contrary to the Electoral Act. That’s why we’re here,” he said.
After visiting several polling locations, he added, “For the areas that we’ve gone to, all the security personnel are on duty. They are on duty monitoring what is happening. No chaos. Everywhere is calm. So we’re happy with what is going on.
“Even though there are no officials, some of them have not come to the polling units to set up for their materials, the police officers and other security agencies are doing well and they are monitoring what is happening.
“FCT residents should be reassured. No chaos. Everywhere is calm. Everywhere is peaceful. The police officers are on top of their game and other security agencies,” he said.
Later in the morning, a slow start at several polling units became apparent, with accreditation and voting yet to commence in many locations. Residents continued to wait anxiously for officials to arrive, hoping the exercise would eventually get underway smoothly.
