The Nigeria Police Force says the restriction of movement in Ekiti State is a strategy to ensure adequate security of lives and property during and after the governorship election that will hold on Saturday.

While briefing Channels Television in Abuja on Friday on the developments in Ekiti State ahead of the election, where several persons were alleged to have been denied entry into Ekiti State prior to the election, the force spokesman, Mr Frank Mba, explained that the restriction would enable the police monitor the movement of people in and out of the state, as a strategy to guard against conflicts during the election or after the election.

Mr Mba said that he had no information to confirm whether Governor Chibuike Amaechi of River State was detained by security officials or not.

He also explained that “whereas the constitution provides for a free movement of people, the peculiarity of Ekiti State and Saturday’s governorship election makes it expedient to increase security in the state”.

Mr Mba also added that the state was not over-policed ahead of the election, as insinuated by critics.