FCT Police Deploy Officers, Announce Restriction of Movement for Area Council Elections

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has commenced a massive deployment of personnel across the territory in preparation for the upcoming Area Council elections, scheduled for Saturday, February 21, 2026.

In a statement released on Wednesday, the command also announced a restriction of movement across the FCT on election day. The restriction will be in effect from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., with exemptions granted only to those on essential duties and accredited election officials.

According to the Command’s spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, the deployment is being carried out under a comprehensive operational order. She noted that the police are collaborating with other security agencies, including the Nigerian Army, Air Force, Navy, Department of State Services (DSS), and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), to ensure a secure environment for the polls.

The Commissioner of Police in charge of the FCT, Miller Dantawaye, has charged all deployed officers to conduct themselves with the utmost professionalism. He emphasized the need for adequate security at polling units and collation centres to guarantee a peaceful, free, and fair electoral process.

“Officers must remain vigilant, impartial, and courteous in the discharge of their duties, while respecting the rights of all citizens,” CP Dantawaye was quoted as saying.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has cleared candidates from 17 political parties to contest in the elections. Voters will decide winners for 68 elective positions, which include six area council chairmanship seats and 62 councillorship slots across the territory’s six area councils.

INEC has also confirmed that approximately 1.68 million registered voters are eligible to participate in the exercise.

Adeh urged residents to cooperate with security personnel and adhere to the security guidelines during the period of the movement restriction. She assured the public that adequate measures have been implemented to allow citizens to exercise their civic duty peacefully and without fear.