Army, DSS Deployed To INEC Office Nationwide To Forestall Attacks

The Federal Government in a move to protect the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) assets ahead of the 2023 election has deployed the Department of State Services’ personnel, soldiers, civil defence corps operatives as well as Federal Fire Service personnel to INEC offices nationwide.

The Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba, disclosed this during a meeting with the chairmen of leading political parties at the Force headquarters in Abuja  on Thursday.

Baba who made the disclosure noted that the police recorded 52 violent cases in six weeks.

He further reveal that it has also directed the security services to enhance intelligence gathering, sharing and utilisation of the same to stem acts of political violence which have assumed an increasing dimension in recent weeks.

According to him, the NPF would also be working in collaboration with the Nigerian Army, the Department of State Services, the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps and the Federal Fire Service to take decisive lawful action against purveyors of hate speech, incitement to violence, mobilisation of thugs and other violations.

“On our part, and as an outcome of the ICCES meeting, the Nigeria Police Force working in collaboration with other security agencies have resolved to enhance intelligence gathering, share and utilise same to stem acts of political violence; upscale the deployment of security teams to all INEC assets and facilities nationwide.

"Teams will be drawn from the police, Nigerian Army, Department of State Services, Nigeria Civil and Security Defence Corps and the Federal Fire Service to take decisive lawful action against purveyors of hate speech, incitement to violence, mobilisation of thugs and other violations, including the prompt arrest, investigation, and prosecution of offenders in line with the provisions of Sections 92 and 93 of the Electoral Act 2022 as amended."

He further declared that those already arrested would face prosecution, noting, however, that despite all these initiatives, it was recognised that the leadership of each political party was critical in eradicating the menace of political intolerance, threat, violence and other negative tendencies in the democratic culture.