Ahead of the gubernatorial and state assembly elections scheduled to hold on tomorrow (Saturday), the Federal Government has ordered the closure of all land borders in the country from today.
This is the third time that the government will shut the borders in three weeks. The borders were first closed on February 15 and reopened the following after the Independent National Electoral Commission postponed the country’s presidential and parliamentary elections originally scheduled to hold on February 16. The borders were shut again from February 22 to 24 for the rescheduled presidential and parliamentary elections held on February 23.
The Minister of Interior, Lt. Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau gave the latest directive to shut the borders in a statement issued by the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Muhammad Babandede in Abuja on Thursday.
According to the statement, all land borders will be shut from 12:00 noon on Friday, March 8, to 12: 00 noon on Sunday, March 10, 2019.
The government explained that the closure is aimed at restricting movements across the borders on election day. It urged the public to take note and ensure compliance.