Anambra residents, motorists defy police movement restriction order

Officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission arrived late in some polling units in Awka and Onitsha.

News Agency of Nigeria • November 8, 2025

Anambra State on map used to illustrate the story

Some residents and commercial vehicle operators in Awka and Onitsha in Anambra State on Saturday defied the restriction of movement order by the police in the state.

The restriction of movement was expected to take effect from midnight to 6.00 p.m. on Saturday.

It was also expected to affect all roads within the state, including inter-state highways.

It was observed that commercial vehicles were operating freely in some parts of Awka, the state capital, with commuters boarding the vehicles.

The situation was the same from Ogidi Local Government Area to Nkpor junction.

Security agents were also seen at the popular Nkpor road including other spots and popular junctions across the state capital.

Also, officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission arrived late in some polling units in Awka and Onitsha.

For instance, the INEC officials manning Agwuoka polling unit 008 were seen being dropped at their duty posts at 8:40 a.m while their counterparts in Aroma polling unit 022 were seeing setting up their stand about the same time.

Also, at the Awka South Local Government Area, an INEC official monitoring the exercise, Mary Fajoye, said that election materials, both sensitive and non-sensitive, had left the INEC office in the council area since yesterday.

Mrs Fajoye said though there were initial hitches by polling officers in locating some of their registration areas, she noted that the matter had been resolved.

Also, at Amawbia 02, Polling Unit 3, Central School 111, Awka South, officials and materials were ready as of 8:19 a.m. awaiting official commencement of voting by 8:30 a.m.

The Presiding Officer, Mark Kalu, of Polling Unit 3, was seen addressing the electorate on the preparedness and process for the conduct of the poll.

Mr Kalu, who appealed for decorum, informed the voters that priority would be given to albinos, persons with disabilities (PWDs) and the aged.

As of the time of filing this report, accreditation of voters had commenced at the Polling Unit, Eze Chima Primary School on Awka Road.

(NAN)

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