Security Agencies Reel Out Modalities For Engagement On Election Day
Princess-Ekwi Ajide Abuja
It is a few hours to the 2023 presidential election and security agencies have given out rules for engagement on election day.
In a joint press briefing, on the election, spokespersons of the Nigeria Armed Forces, Police and the DSS told the officers, media and the general public how to go about the business of the day.
In his speech, the Acting Director Defence Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, said the Nigeria Military is committed to total collaboration where everyone will be at liberty to excercise their rights without fear of molestation.
He noted that the military is ready to defend the democracy in the country at all costs and cautioned anybody who has plans to subvert the peace or take actions that would lead to the breech of public peace to desist as it would spell doom for them.
On his part, the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Olumuyinwa Adejobi, hailed the synergy between security agencies saying it shows their preparedness to defend the sovereignty of the country.
He said there would be restriction of movement on the election day exempting those on essential duty including fire fighters, ambulances responding to emergency services and journalists who have been accredited by INEC
CSP Adejobi, while urging journalists to be mindful about their reportage so as not to create fear in the hearts of the people, reminded them that in spite of the accreditation, they should be cautious around security agents.
For the spokesperson of the DSS, Dr. Peter Afunanya, the Service had assured of its commitment to a peaceful exercise and pledged its neutrality, professionalism and the good conduct of its personnel to promoting the democratic process.
He said the DSS will continue to discharge its mandate of disseminating timely, actionable and proactive intelligence necessary for tactical, operational and strategic decisions even beyond the elections.
According to Dr. Afunanya, the Service will partner other sister agencies; Government, all stakeholders particularly the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure a hitch free electoral exercise.
He called on the citizenry and residents to be law abiding before, during and after the elections while urging eligible voters to cast their votes without any form of violence and also maintain the peace after that.
It will be recalled that before now, security chiefs had met with INEC Chairman and pledged their unalloyed commitment to safeguarding personnel and materials for the election.
