By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa
Ahead of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council Elections scheduled for Saturday, February 21, 2026, the FCT Police Command has announced a comprehensive deployment of personnel and a territory-wide restriction of movement.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the command’s spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, confirmed that movement will be prohibited across the FCT from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on election day. Only essential service providers and accredited election officials will be granted passage during this period.
Adeh stated that the deployment, carried out under a comprehensive operational order, involves a coordinated effort with sister security agencies. This joint taskforce includes personnel from the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Air Force, Nigerian Navy, the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
The massive deployment aims to ensure adequate security coverage at all polling units and collation centers across the territory’s six area councils.
The Commissioner of Police for the FCT, Miller G. Dantawaye, has charged all deployed officers to maintain the highest level of professionalism. He emphasized the need for vigilance, impartiality, and courtesy while discharging their duties, and reminded them to respect the rights of all citizens.
“The Commissioner of Police…charged all deployed officers to maintain the highest level of professionalism and ensure adequate security coverage at all polling units and collation centres in order to guarantee a peaceful, free, and fair electoral process,” Adeh quoted him as saying.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has cleared candidates from 17 political parties to contest in the local government polls. A total of 68 elective positions are at stake, comprising six area council chairmanship seats and 62 councillorship positions.
INEC has also disclosed that approximately 1.68 million registered voters are eligible to participate in the election.
Adeh urged FCT residents to cooperate fully with security personnel and comply with the guidelines during the restriction period. She assured voters that adequate measures have been put in place to enable them to exercise their civic responsibilities peacefully and without fear.
“The Command also uses this opportunity to enjoin all residents of the FCT to remain law-abiding and come out to exercise their civic responsibility peacefully and without fear, as adequate security measures have been put in place,” the statement concluded.
