BREAKING NEWS, Politics
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THE Nigeria police and the State Security Services, SSS, say their call for the postponement of Saturday’s governorship election in Edo State is based on “credible intelligence” of a plot by “Insurgent and extremist elements” to disrupt the poll.
In a joint press statement issued Wednesday, September 7, afternoon, the two agencies said the target of the planned attacks are vulnerable communities and soft targets with high population during the forthcoming Sallah celebrations between September 12 and 13.
Edo State, the statement said, was among the states being targeted.
Garba Abdullahi signed the statement on behalf of the SSS, while Don Awunah, Force Public Relations Officer, signed for the Police.
“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,” the statement said.
“The public would recall that similar threats were issued during the May Labour Day and Democracy Day celebrations as well as the Ed-el-fitr holidays in July, 2016. However, the security agencies were able to decisively disrupt and thwart the insurgents’ plan.
“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.”
Meanwhile, the INEC said it was yet to get a formal report from the security agencies for the postponement.
— Sep 7, 2016 @ 18:30 GMT
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