SAN FRANCISCO, September 07, (THEWILL) – The Department of State Services, DSS, on Wednesday advised the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to postpone the September 10 governorship election in Edo state, to allow security agencies check threat posed by terrorists and extremists.
The Force Public Relations Officer, Don Awunah, and an agent of the DSS, Garba Abdullahi, stated this at a press conference, explaining that the two agencies got credible intelligence that terrorists and extremists plan to carry out attacks between 12th and 13th of September.
Awunah, who read out a statement on behalf of both agencies, said, “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.”
