The Nigerian Police Force and the Department of
State Security DSS, have called on the
Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)
to postpone the Saturday September 10th
governorship election in Edo state for security
reasons. The security agencies made the call at a
joint press briefing at the DSS Headquarters in
Abuja today September 7th.
According to the spokesman of the police, DCP
Don Awunah and his DSS counterpart, Tony
Okeowo represented by Garba Abdullahi, credible
intelligence available to them indicates that there
may be a terror attack during next week's Sallah
holidays, especially in Edo State.
The police spokesperson, Don Awunah, in a
statement he read during the conference said it is
in the light of the intelligence gathered that they
make the appeal for the postponement of the
election.
“The Nigeria police and the DSS wish to inform
the general public that credible intelligence
availed to the agencies indicate plans by
insurgent/extremist elements to attack vulnerable
communities and soft targets with high population
during the forthcoming Sallah celebrations
between 12 and 13 September, 2016.
Edo state is
among the states being earmarked for these
planned attacks by the extremists elements. It is
in regard of this that we are appealing to INEC,
which has 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 terrorists 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 secure
Nigeria now and always”he said
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