FCT Police Announce 12-Hour Movement Restriction For Council Polls

The Nigeria Police Force, Federal Capital Territory Command (FCT), has announced a 12-hour restriction on movement across Abuja and its environs ahead of the Area Council elections scheduled for Saturday, February 21, 2026.

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Naija News reports that the restriction is aimed at ensuring security and the smooth conduct of the polls.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the Police Public Relations Officer of the FCT Command, Josephine Adeh, said the order was issued by the Commissioner of Police, Miller Dantawaye.

“The Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, Miller G. Dantawaye, psc., has announced a restriction of movement across the Federal Capital Territory from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM on Saturday, 21st February, 2026, in view of the scheduled Area Council Elections,” the statement read.

The command clarified that the restriction would apply to all residents except essential service providers and duly accredited election officials.

“The FCT Police Command urges residents to remain peaceful, law-abiding, and cooperate with security agencies to ensure a safe, free, and credible electoral process,”

Meanwhile, the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, declared Friday a work-free day ahead of the elections.

In a broadcast, Wike said the decision, approved by President Bola Tinubu, was to enable residents to travel to their respective communities to vote.

He also announced a separate restriction of movement across the FCT from 8:00pm on Friday to 6:00pm on Saturday, directing security agencies to ensure strict compliance.

The minister urged residents to turn out in large numbers and conduct themselves peacefully, expressing confidence that the elections would produce leaders capable of promoting development and stability in the territory.

The council elections will be held across the six area councils of the FCT, with security agencies assuring residents of adequate protection.