The National Security Adviser (NSA), General Babagana Monguno (retd), has stated that his agency is prepared to deal with troublemakers and purveyors of false information ahead of upcoming elections, which are just 17 days away.
He promised Nigerians that they would be protected in order to exercise their voting rights in the next general elections.
Monguno provided the assurance on Tuesday following a closed door meeting with Professor Mahmood Yakubu, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), who paid him a visit in his office.
Speaking to journalists after the meeting, Alhaji Monguno stated that his agency and others have continued to have good discussions aimed at providing the electoral umpire and eligible voters with a secure environment in which to conduct the polls.
He said: “We have had several meetings with the chairman of INEC, the ICCES which I co-chair. We know what we have done. We are sure of what we have on the ground.
“All of us here who are the managers of security in the electoral process know what we’re doing. We are not in any way in doubt but we need to let the entire country know that agents of bad news peddling all kinds of stories around, we see these on social media.
“If these are intended to scare people, I want to dispel such illusions. Everybody that is concerned with carrying out his legitimate undertaking, casting his or her vote will do so in a secure atmosphere. ‘It’s very important that Nigerians are not pushed to the limit where they will abandon their number one responsibility as citizens. All security agencies are up to the task.
Also speaking, Professor Yakubu said the meeting with the NSA and other security chiefs was encouraging.
“With just 17 days to go, security is a critical moment for the 2023 general election. We want to welcome the assurances from the National Security Adviser, the Chief of Defence, the Inspector General of Police and (other) security agencies.
“We are aware that additional security has been deployed to our facilities nationwide. We also note the increasing tempo of activities in many troubled spots nationwide.
We are confident that these actions will further reassure voters, our personnel, service providers, and stakeholders of their safety during elections and a free, fair and peaceful process. We look forward to a comprehensive plan for the deployment of security personnel.”