KEY POINTS

• Police have deployed massive security across Abuja ahead of the February 21 council elections.

• Movement will be restricted from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., except for essential workers and election officials.

• About 1.68 million voters and candidates from 17 parties will participate in the polls.

The Nigeria Police Force has launched a large-scale security deployment across the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, ahead of the February 21 area council elections.

Authorities say the operation in the FCT is part of a coordinated strategy to ensure a peaceful voting process and prevent disruptions before, during, and after the polls.

According to police spokesperson Josephine Adeh, movement will be restricted throughout Federal Capital Territory from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on election day.

The restriction in the FCT will not apply to essential service providers, accredited election officials, and emergency responders. Residents have been urged to cooperate fully with security personnel and comply with operational directives.

Multi-agency security operation activated in FCT

The deployment involves collaboration between several security bodies, including the army, air force, navy, Department of State Services, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps. Police Commissioner Miller Dantawaye directed officers to maintain professionalism, impartiality, and vigilance while safeguarding polling units and collation centres.

The Independent National Electoral Commission has cleared candidates from 17 political parties to contest 68 elective positions. These include six chairmanship seats and 62 councillorship positions across the FCT’s six area councils. About 1.68 million registered voters are expected to participate.