Security has been ramped up nationwide ahead of the general elections which begins this Saturday, March 28 with presidential and National Assembly polls.
The Federal Government Wednesday announced the closure of all land and sea borders.
Fears of attacks by insurgents in the Northeast and hoodlums in the other parts of the country are very high.
Elections, which were originally scheduled to hold on February 14 and 28, were postponed by six weeks because the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said the relevant organs could not guarantee security.
With the bloodletting that greeted the announcement of the 2011 election results still fresh in their mind, Nigerians are preparing for Saturday’s exercise believing that anything can happen.
Scores have travelled back to their villages, while households have been stocked with food and other essentials in case movement becomes impossible due to post-election violence.
Banks are expected to witness massive withdrawal of cash by anxious customers in the days leading to the elections.
The Department of State Services (DSS) on Wednesday underlined the security threat, calling for vigilance in crowded places before, during and after Saturday’s election.
“Voters are advised to be wary of persons in loose or bulky midriff clothing, which are inappropriate for the weather,” said spokeswoman Marilyn Ogar.
“Look out for unattended bags, luggage, dustbins, strange containers and other suspicious items.”
The DSS also urged that cars, motorbikes and three-wheel motorised taxis should be parked away from polling stations and for shops and markets to shut.
“Suspicious persons, activities and movements should be promptly reported to security agents,” Ogar added in a statement.
Inspector General of Police, Suleiman Aba, on Wednesday ordered that on no account should uniformed private/government security agencies and voluntary organisations such as Boys Scout, Vigilante Group, Boys Brigade, Peace Ambassador, Man’O War etc, be seen in uniform within 300 metres of a polling unit during the elections.
While warning politicians and VIPs not to go to polling units on the day of the election with armed orderlies, the IGP said the use of siren, revolving lights, tinted glasses by unauthorised citizens would not be allowed.
The Police High Command had on Tuesday announced the restriction of vehicular movement from 8.00am to 5.00pm on both election days.
Jonathan too on Wednesday said that the government would not tolerate any form of violence during or after the polls.
“I am giving my total commitment to peaceful elections in the country, not because I am persuaded to do so but because I believe in it,” the President added.
Head of the Nigerian Army, Lieutenant General Kenneth Minimah, said he did not envisage problems but appealed to politicians and their followers to keep the peace.
“Whoever wants to invoke or provoke violence will meet organised violence waiting for him,” he told reporters in Abuja.
Security measures will stay in place until after gubernatorial and state assembly polls on April 11, he added.
The measures include closure of all land and sea borders from midnight on March 25 until midnight on March 28.
“President Goodluck Jonathan has approved the closure of all Nigeria’s land and sea borders…to allow for peaceful conduct of the forthcoming national elections,” permanent secretary at the Ministry of Interior, Abubakar Magaji, said in an email statement.
The statement also said the Nigeria Immigration Service has been directed to ensure that non-Nigerians do not participate in any part of the election process.
