Police, DSS call for postponement of Edo election

 

The Nigerian Police Force and th 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 yesterday 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