The
Department of state services and the Nigeria Police Force have explained why
they called for the postponement election in Edo state The agencies said that
the postponement was to allow security agencies check threat posed by
terrorists and extremists.
Addressing a joint press conference at the DSS headquarters
in Abuja Wednesday the spokesman of the police force, Don Awunah said the two
agencies gave credible intelligence that terrorists and extremists plan to
carry out attacks between the 12th and 13th of September. Below is the joint
statement by the SSS and the police on the matter.
JOINT PRESS RELEASE BY THE NIGERIA
POLICE/ DEPARTMENT OF STATE SERVICES
The Nigeria Police and Department of State Services wish to
inform the general public that credible intelligence availed the agencies
indicate plans by insurgent/extremist elements to attack vulnerable communities
and soft targets with high population during the forthcoming Sallah
celebrations between 12th and 13th September, 2016.
Edo State, is amongst the States being earmarked for these
planned attacks by the extremist elements. From left, Force Public Relations
Officer, Deputy Commissioner of Police Don Awunah and Mr Garba Abdullahi of
Department of State Services addressing pressmen in Abuja on the credible
intelligence availed the agencies of plans by insurgent/extremist element to
attack vulnerable communities and soft targets with high population during
Sallah celebrations between 12th and 13th September, 2016 and the need to
postpone Edo State Election at the weekend . Photo by Gbemiga Olamikan.
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. In the same vein, while
election is important, the security agencies cannot allow the peace of the
country to be disrupted, and we will continue to remain vigilant and ensure
consolidation of the successes gained in the current counter-insurgency fight.
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.
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.
Members of the public are hereby assured that the security
agencies will continue to remain focused and committed and are being enjoined
to remain vigilant. The attention of the Security Agencies should be drawn to
any observed unusual movements or actions by groups or individuals in their
neighbourhoods. DCP DON AWUNAH, fsi (Force Public Relations Officer) – Nigeria
Police Force GARBA ABDULLAHI – State Security Service
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