Ahead of tomorrow’s presidential and National Assembly (NASS) elections, the Department of State Services (DSS) has begun clampdown and arrest of criminal elements across the country.
The Service pledged neutrality, good conduct and professional before, during and after the 2023 general elections.
It also assured of its commitment to the successful conduct of the general elections, stating that it had made several arrests and seized weapons that would be inimical to the conduct of the election in various states.
In a statement by the spokesperson of the DSS, Dr Peter Afunanya, the Service said suspected gun runners were arrested in Kaduna and Zamfara states, including one Aliyu Yahaya, who runs guns for a suspected bandit, Kachalla Damina, operating around Dansadau in Zamfara State. The weapons recovered from them included RPMG rifles and caches of ammunition.
Also, on 22nd February, 2023, the Service conducted a legally backed search operation on a property along Airport Road, Nasarawa LGA, Kano State and recovered dangerous weapons including a gun, daggers, swords, jack-knives from the said building.
“Therefore, the accusation that the Service intimidated a particular political party in that state is untrue; otherwise, how come those weapons were found there? Are those objects of violence campaign materials? Whether in Kano or elsewhere, the DSS has provided equal opportunities for all political parties to engage in their lawful activities. We can say this without any form of contradictions or equivocations.”
The service said it will partner with other sister security and law enforcement agencies to ensure a hitch-free electoral exercise.
Part of the statement also reads: “As you are aware, the general elections will commence on 25th February, 2023-just a few hours from now. The DSS assures of its commitment to a peaceful exercise. It pledges its neutrality, professionalism and good conduct of its personnel to the democratic process. It will continue to discharge its mandate of disseminating timely, actionable and proactive intelligence necessary for tactical, operational and strategic decisions even beyond the elections.
“Also, it will partner with other sister security and law enforcement agencies; all levels and arms of government and indeed all stakeholders particularly the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and relevant non-governmental and civil society organisations to ensure a hitch free electoral exercise. In this regard, we call on all citizens and residents to be law abiding before, during and after the elections. Eligible voters are enjoined to cast their votes without any form of violence and also maintain the peace after that.”
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