Citing terrorist threats during the forthcoming Sallah
celebrations, the Department of State Services (DSS) and the police
yesterday jointly asked the Independent National Electoral Commission
(INEC) to postpone Saturday governorship election in Edo State.
At a joint media briefing, which lasted
less than five minutes at DSS headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday, police
spokesman Don Awunah and Garba Abdullahi of DSS stated that the move
became necessary because of intelligence reports about insurgents’
plans.
Abdullahi and Awunah, who read a
prepared one-page text on behalf of the two security agencies, refused
to take questions from reporters.
“The Nigeria Police and Department of
State Services wish to inform the general public that credible
intelligence availed the agencies indicate plans by insurgent/extremist
elements to attack vulnerable communities and soft targets with high
population during the forthcoming Sallah celebrations between 12th and 13th September, 2016.
“Edo state is amongst the states being
earmarked for these planned attacks by the extremist elements.” Awunah
stated, emphasising that the issue deserves to be treated with
seriousness.
“The public would recall that similar threats were issued during the May Labour Day and Democracy Day celebrations as well as Eid-el-fitr holidays in July, 2016.
“However, security agencies were able to decisively disrupt and thwart the insurgents’ plan.
“In the same vein, while election is
important, the security agencies cannot allow the peace of the county to
be disrupted, and we will continue to remain vigilant and ensure
consolidation of the successes gained in the current counter-insurgency
fight.
“It is in regard of these that we are
appealing to INEC, which has the legal duty to regulate elections in the
country, to consider the need for possible postponement of the date of
the election in Edo State in order to enable security agencies deal
decisively with the envisaged terrorist threats.
“While the police/DSS remain mindful of
the inconveniences this request may cause the various political
stakeholders, it is our strong resolve that security agencies need not
be distracted from ensuring a peaceful and secured Nigeria now and
always,” he stated.
Both agencies requested that the public
should complement security agencies’ commitment by being vigilant and
report any unusual movements or actions by any group or individuals.
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