Why I imposed curfew on FCT during council polls — Wike

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has defended the curfew imposed on parts of Abuja during the recently concluded FCT elections, insisting that residents were given more than 24 hours’ notice before the restrictions took effect. Speaking after the polls, Wike stated that the security measures—which included movement restrictions across major entry […]

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has defended the curfew imposed on parts of Abuja during the recently concluded FCT elections, insisting that residents were given more than 24 hours’ notice before the restrictions took effect.
Speaking after the polls, Wike stated that the security measures—which included movement restrictions across major entry and exit points into the capital—were necessary to safeguard the electoral process.
According to the Minister, all boundary routes linking Abuja to neighbouring states were placed under tight surveillance to prevent security breaches.
The Minister emphasized that the decision was informed by intelligence reports and the urgent need to mitigate insecurity.
He noted that the curfew, which ran from 8pm to 12am on February 20, was part of broader efforts to ensure public safety.
“Do you know the kind of high security we provided?” he asked, maintaining that there was nothing wrong with taking proactive measures to protect lives and property.
Wike also referenced international security standards, suggesting that while the advanced technology deployed in other countries is not yet fully available in Nigeria, local authorities made the best use of available resources to maintain order.
Despite reports of low voter turnout, the Minister rejected claims that the restrictions discouraged participation.
He argued that while some residents defied the movement limitations, overall compliance was necessary for safety, adding that security considerations must sometimes take precedence over convenience.