FG alleges plans to sabotage polls…bans vigilante,other groups from security duties

For the umpteenth time, the Federal Government has raised the
alarm of alleged plots by some unnamed individuals and groups,
to.sabotage the forthcoming general elections scheduled for
February 16, and March 2 respectively.

The alarm was raised by the National Security Adviser (NSA),
Maj-Gen. Babagana Monguno (rtd), and minister of Interior, Lt-Gen.
Abdulrahman Dambazau (rtd).

Monguno, who met behind closed-doors with the Nigeria Givernors’
Forum (NGF) in Abuja, said in a speech, that the alert was a
product of “recent intelligence reports”.

It will be recalled that the Minister of Information and
Culture, Alh. Lai Mohammed, had raised a similar alarm last
week.

At a press briefing in Abuja, Mohammed had said, among others,
that: “Having realized that their fortunes have dwindled badly
ahead of the polls, the desperate opposition is orchestrating
widespread violence with a view to truncating the elections, thus
triggering a constitutional crisis that could snowball into the
establishment of an interim government,” Lai said.

”Before you accuse the government of crying wolf, let me tell
you, gentlemen, that we have credible intelligence that armed
bandits and Boko Haram insurgents have been mobilized to engage in
massive attacks and other acts of violence in several states across
the country, including Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Benue, Kano, Kaduna,
Nasarawa, Plateau, Taraba and Zamfara”.

The NSA has, however, ordered security operatives across the
country to identify and deal appropriately with acts capable of
derailing the polity.

While vowing zero tolerance for political thuggery before,during
and after the elections, Monguno further warned that quasi security
outfits, howsoever referred to, will be allowed to participate in
election security duties.

He,therefore, called for the support and collaboration of all
stakeholders, saying security remained a clective
responsibility.

Monguno said: “It is with a great sense of responsibility and a
firm commitment to national cohesion and security that I bring
before you some issues that are critical to our common good and the
peacejw state of our country, Nigeria.

“In view of the usual stereotype that elections in Nigeria are
always followed by violent clashes and sometimes loss of lives and
property, the security agencies have been working round the clock
to ensure that the next general elections are free of any form of
the usual after-election violence.

“However, recent intelligence reports have indicated plans by
some individuals and groups to instigate violence during and after
the coming elections.

“Reporte reaching me have revealed that some individuals that
are uncertain of their fate in the elections are plotting to
precipitate widespread violence aimed at scuttling the conduct of
the polls. Their strategy is to cause crises that could snowball
into endless crises for the government and citizens

“There are indications that these unscrupulous elements are
already mobilising merchants of violence, including armed bandits
and terrorists to orchestrate violence during the elections in
several states of the Federation.”

On what the government will do to perpetrators of violence, the
retired two-star General noted: “In the same vein, we shall not
spare any effort to do the needful in any event of activities that
threaten the security and welfare of Nigerians

“Therefore, I wish to state that no pseudo or quasi security
outfits, such as vigilantes or under any guise, is allowed to
participate in election security duties.

“Government will demonstrate zero tolerance to political
thuggery and illegal bearing of fire-arms. The IGP has instructed
the various commands to arrest anyone bearing fire-arms illegally
or engaging in acts of violence”.

Notwithstanding, the NSA disclosed that efforts were being
intensified to create a conducive environment for peaceful polls,
even as he reiterated that, “our faith in democracy remains firm
and unshaken”.

The Minister of Interior, Lt-Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau (rtd),
had earlier expressed a similar position in a statement by the
Director of Press and Public Relations, Mr. Mohammed Manga.

“The Federal Government has given further directives to all
security and law enforcement agencies in the country to ensure and
safeguard the sanctity of the 2019 General Elections.

“The Honourable Minister of Interior, Lt Gen (Rtd) Abdulrahman
Bello Dambazau, gave the directive today (yesterday) in his office
in Abuja”, Manga said

He quoted the minister as saying that: “Security reports
indicate that some individuals and groups of persons, including
politicians and their sponsors are bent on subverting the integrity
of the electoral process.

“For the avoidance of any doubt, I want to reiterate the
commitment of His Excellency Muhammadu Buhari, President and
Commander-in-Chief to the rule of law. I also want to assure all
peace-loving Nigerians in the entire country that this
Administration is committed to free, fair and credible
elections.

“In this regard, all security and law enforcement agencies are
under strict instruction to safeguard the sanctity of the 2019
General Elections and that anybody found engaging in covert or
overt action capable of sabotaging or subverting the process, with
the aim of denying the citizens of Nigeria their right to vote for
any candidate or party of their choice, or to cause public
disorder, will be dealt with in accordance with the law”.

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Givernors’ Forum, has expressed concern
over “proliferation” of illegal arms acriss the country.

In a communique read to journalists by Chairman of the Forum and
Governor of Zamfara State, Mr. Abdul’aziz Yari, the NGF said
members were “committed to collaborating with security agencies to
ensure that the forth coming general elections were free,fair and
conducted in an environment conducive for peaceful elections.”

According to the Forum: “Governor’s are however concerned about
the proliferation of arms and ammunition, and the spate of
kidnapping across the country.

“The Forum recommends stronger collaboration and intelligence
sharing amongst security agencies in the country to ensure that all
lives and property are protected, regardless of individual or group
affiliations.

“We commend the Nigerian security agencies including the Office
of the National Security Adviser, ONSA; the Nigeria Police Force,
NPF; the Department of State Security, DSS, for the security
arrangements that are being put in place to achieve violence-free
elections next month.

“We seek stronger synergy between governors as the Chief
Security Officers of their respective states and the heads of
security agencies to strengthen preemptive measures of curbing
election violence and other antisocial vices.”

In a brief interview with journalists, the Acting Inspector
General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Adamu, reiterated his warning
against thuggery and other violent conducts.

Adamu further disclosed that security operatives will undertake
illegal arms’ mop up operation across the country.

On fear of bias, Adamu said: “All the security agencies have
pledged to be professional and neutral in the process of the
election. So, nobody should be in doubt about the neutrality of
security agencies”.

NDA to Establish Driving School for Cadets

The Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), has disclosed it is
formalizing plans to establish a driving school in Kaduna. This was
revealed by the Commandant NDA, Major General A Oyebade, during a
courtesy visit by Zonal Commanding Officer, Federal Road Safety
Corps, Kaduna Zone, Assistant Corps Mashal Ayobami Omiyale in
Afaka.

General Oyebade said the driving school will be primarily to
train cadets in the rudiments, theory and practical knowledge of
driving.

The Commandant, who commended FRSC for the tremendous impact it
has made in forestalling safety of lives and property on our roads,
also praised the partnership between the two institutions.

Earlier, the Zonal Commanding Officer while stating his purpose
of visit said he came to pay homage to the commandant and to
appreciate the synergy between FRSC and NDA. He applauded the
Commandant for instilling discipline and learning in the cadets
urging him to maintain the high standard NDA is known for.

Abubakar Abdullahi

Major

Academy Public Relations Officer