NSA, CDS, IGP, Assure Nigerians Safety At Elections

National Security Adviser (NSA) Mohammed Babagana Monguno,  Chief of Defense Staff (CDS), Gen Lucky Irabor  and the inspector-general of police (IGP), Usman Alkali Baba, have assured Nigerians of safety during the 2023 general elections.

The trio made their commitment during a visit by the INEC chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu and members of the commission paid a courtesy visit to the office of the National Security Adviser, yesterday in Abuja.

Monguno said although there were issues confronting the polity, he, however, said agitations geared towards the conduct of 2023 should be dispelled as the election will go on without any rancour.

He said the security outfits have put in place measures to ensure that Nigerians exercise their franchise without fear.

“We have done a lot to put things in place. We have had meetings with INEC, Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Elections Security (ICCES) which I chair. I know what we have put on the ground.

“All of us here who are the managers of securing the process know our responsibilities and we are not in any doubt.”

He also dispelled illusions by agents of fake news and misinformation that the elections would not hold.

“Every Nigerian that will go out to exercise their franchise will do that in a secure atmosphere.

“I have confidence in the security architecture as well as intelligent reports from them and they have assured us. The remaining 17 days before the elections will be an intense period for us and I know that all security agencies are equal to the task,” he said.

Also, Irabor said the armed forces has been monitoring the electioneering process and polity closely.

Irabor assured that the Armed Forces will support the police as the lead agency handling the electioneering process.

He pledged the commitment of the Armed Forces to ensuring security during the polls.

More so, the Inspector General of Police Usman Alkali Baba while admitting to the issues of crime and criminality in certain states of the federation, said it will look into the agitations that have led to apprehension and uncertainty by Nigerians towards the conduct of credible polls.

On his part, the INEC chairman lauded the National Security Adviser for convening the high-level security meeting.

He said with just 17 days to the 2023 elections, the meeting is coming at a critical moment for the 2023 General Election. “We welcome the assurances by the NSA and the Chief of Defence Staff/Inspector General of Police that the security and intelligence agencies are prepared for the election to proceed as scheduled.”

For the commission, he said preparation for the election has gone far.

Yakubu said most of the sensitive and non-sensitive materials are already in various locations nationwide.