Elections: We won’t tolerate security breaches, security agencies warn

• Say violators of restriction on movement will be punished

Andrew Orulua, Doosuur Iwambe, Abuja

Barely 24 hours to the 2019 general elections, security agencies have warned that they will not tolerate any act, likely to cause security breaches before, during and after the elections. Speaking while addressing a news conference in Abuja on Thursday, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Abayomi Gabriel Olonisakin warned that the Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security agencies will not hesitate to deal decisively with these acts irrespective of those involved. General Olonisakin, who spoke after a security meeting with service chiefs, inspector general of police, director, Department of State Services (DSS), director general, National Intelligence Agency (NIA) and chief of defence intelligence appealed to Nigerians to adhere to the restrictions on movement during the period of the elections. He said that violators of the restriction on movement, no matter how highly placed, will be arrested and detained. “However, this restriction doesn’t apply to those on election security duties, local and international observers/monitors and emergency and security services personnel on authorized duties only,” he added. While advising members of the public to disregard the stay-at-home leaflets being circulated in some quarters, the chief of defence staff said that it is the handwork of some mischief makers who were out to scare eligible voters. “The stay-at-home leaflets being circulated and similar on-line messages are part of the handiwork of mischief makers who are bent on scuttling the process and should be ignored. I want to assure the general public that the security services are prepared to support the police to ensure the safe conduct of the elections “It is important to reiterate that law enforcement agencies will remain apolitical. Besides, code of conduct for the armed forces for the 2019 general elections have been issued to the services and security personnel that will be deployed for election security duties. All other personnel who are not so deployed for election security duties have been directed to steer clear of the elections apart from exercising their rights to vote for candidates of their choice. “The meeting we have just had involved the heads of these agencies to ensure we further harmonize our strategies to provide adequate security for the smooth conduct of the general elections. “I wish to say that the armed forces as well as other security and intelligence agencies are also committed to a violence free elections and that all Nigerians eligible to vote are able to carry out their civic responsibility and vote for candidates of their choice without any fear of molestation by any person or group. “We are not unaware of plans to illegally use uniforms of military/paramilitary agencies to impersonate security and law enforcement agencies; illegal possession and use of firearms to intimidate and harass members of the public; and other acts likely to cause security breaches. “Let me warn that the armed forces and other security agencies will not tolerate any act that is likely to cause security breaches before, during and after the elections, and will deal decisively with these acts irrespective of those involved,” he said. He further urged members of the public to promptly report all suspicious activities to law enforcement agencies.