Lagos LG poll: Vehicles, passengers grounded at Berger as police barricade road

 

Vehicular and pedestrian movements were brought to a halt at the Berger axis of Lagos on Saturday morning as security operatives barricaded access routes into the state ahead of the local government elections.

 

Our correspondent, who monitored the situation, observed that scores of commuters were stranded while several vehicles were turned back at the ever-busy point at 7:32am.

Berger road is deserted. | Credit: Daniel Ayantoye

A combined team of policemen, Federal Road Safety Corps officers were seen enforcing movement restrictions.

 

Military personnel were also seen patrolling the route.

 

Security personnel at Berger area barricade vehicle movement inward Lagos. | Credit: Daniel Ayantoye

The barricade caused long queues of stationary vehicles as passengers alighted and trekked considerable distances to their destinations.

 

Some residents who spoke expressed frustration over the development, saying they were unaware of any movement restrictions despite the elections.

One of the passengers who approached a senior police officer at Berger said he was on his way from Port Harcourt and was unaware of the election.

 

“We are unaware that there was an election in the state. We are just coming from Port Harcourt. We are here for something. We are going to Ikeja”, the passenger said.

 

They were, however, denied access.

 

The Lagos State Police Command had earlier announced restrictions between 6am to 3pm to ensure the peaceful conduct of the election, which is expected to produce new officials for the 20 Local Government Areas and 37 Local Council Development Areas.