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The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has deployed personnel across the territory ahead of the Area Council elections, scheduled for February 21, 2026.
The command also announced a restriction of movement from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on election day, with exemptions for essential service providers and election officials.
In a statement on Wednesday, the FCT Police Command spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, said the deployment was carried out under a comprehensive operational order that involved coordination with sister security agencies, including the Nigerian Army, Air Force, Navy, Department of State Services, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.
She explained that the massive deployment was aimed at ensuring security at all polling and collation centres.
“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.”
Adeh reported that the FCT Commissioner of Police, Miller Dantawaye, directed all deployed officers to maintain professionalism and provide adequate security coverage.
Dantawaye reportedly warned that officers must remain vigilant, impartial, and courteous while respecting the rights of all citizens.
On the movement restriction, Adeh said residents were informed that the FCT would be under restricted movement on election day, but that essential service providers and election officials would be exempted.
She urged citizens to cooperate with security personnel and comply with the guidelines to ensure a peaceful voting process.
She also assured voters that adequate measures had been put in place to enable them to exercise their civic duties without fear.
Adeh emphasized that residents should remain law-abiding while participating in the elections.
According to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), candidates from 17 political parties have been cleared to contest the elections, which cover six area council chairmanship seats and 62 councillorship positions across the territory’s six area councils.
About 1.68 million registered voters are eligible to participate.
