Edo Election Postponement - Police, DSS call for Edo guber postponement

Edo Election Postponement

Planned terrorist attack: Police, DSS call for Edo guber postponement

The Nigeria Police and the Department of State Services (DSS), have called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to postpone the September 10 gubernatorial election in Edo Sate, owing to security concerns.

The two security agencies said their call was predicated on available intelligence indicating plans by extremist elements, to attack vulnerable communities, as well as crowded places during the Sallah celebration.

Incidentally, the security agencies said Edo State was among the vulnerable targets.

In a statement jointly signed by the Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), Don Awunah, Awunah, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), as well as Mr. Garba Abdullahi of the DSS, the agencies acknowledged the statutory responsibility of the INEC in conducting elections in the country.

They, however, noted that national security will not be compromised on the altar of elections.

It was their considered view that the shifting of the much-anticipated poll, will enable them deal decisively with the imminent threat.

“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.

“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,” the joint statement read.