FCT Police deploy officials, impose curfew ahead of council elections

The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has deployed personnel across the nation’s capital in preparation for the forthcoming Area Council elections.

The command also announced a restriction of movement across the Federal Capital Territory from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on election day.

The restriction, however, will not apply to essential service providers and duly accredited election officials.

The elections are scheduled to hold on February 21, 2026.

Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission has cleared candidates from 17 political parties to participate in the local government polls in the FCT, setting the stage for political activities across the six area councils.

The election covers 68 elective positions, comprising six area council chairmanship seats and 62 councillorship positions across the territory’s six area councils.

INEC also disclosed that about 1.68 million registered voters are eligible to participate in the FCT polls.

In a statement on Wednesday, the command spokesperson, Josephine Adeh said the deployment, carried out under a comprehensive operational order, involves a coordinated effort with sister security agencies, including the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Air Force, Nigerian Navy, the Department of State Services, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.

The statement titled, “The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has deployed personnel across the FCT as part of its comprehensive operational order for the February 21, 2026 FCT Area Council Elections.

“This massive deployment has enjoyed a rich exchange of operation and human resources from Sister security agencies, comprising of the Nigeria Army, Nigeria Air Force, Nigeria Navy, Department of State Services, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, among others”

She said the Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, Miller Dantawaye, directed all deployed officers to maintain professionalism and ensure adequate security at polling units and collation centres to guarantee a peaceful, free and fair electoral process.

“The Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, CP Miller G. Dantawaye, 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.

“He further warned that officers must remain vigilant, impartial, and courteous in the discharge of their duties, while respecting the rights of all citizens, ” Adeh said.

Announcing the restriction of movement, Adeh urged residents to cooperate with security personnel and comply with security guidelines during the period.

She assured voters that adequate measures have been put in place to enable them to exercise their civic responsibilities peacefully and without fear.

Adeh said, “The public is hereby informed that there will be a restriction of movement across the FCT from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM on February 21, 2026, except for essential service providers and election officials. Consequently, FCT residents are urged to cooperate fully with security personnel and comply with security operations guidelines during this period.

“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.

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