Security: Police, DSS urge INEC to postpone Edo governorship election

Acting Inspector General of Police, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris

The Nigeria Police Force ( NPF) and the Department of State Services (DSS) on Wednesday appealed to the Independent National Electoral Commission to postpone the Edo governorship election scheduled for Sept. 10, citing security threat.

The Force Spokesman, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Don Awunah, made the call at a joint news conference by the police and the DSS in Abuja.

He said that credible intelligence available to the agencies indicated plans by insurgent and extremist elements to attack vulnerable communities and soft targets.

Awunah said that Edo was among the states being earmarked for the planned attacks by the extremists between Sept. 12 and 13 respectively.

He said that while election was important, security agencies cannot allow the peace of the country to be disrupted.

“We will continue to be vigilant and ensure consolidation of the successes gained in the current counter-insurgency fight.

“It is in these regard that we we are appealing to INEC which has the legal duty to regulate elections in the country to consider the need for possible postponement of the date of the election,” he said.

He said that the postponement would afford security agencies to deal decisively with the envisaged terrorist threats.

“While the police and DSS remain mindful of the inconveniences this request may cause stakeholders, it is our strong resolve that security agencies need not to be distracted from ensuring a peaceful Nigeria,” he said.

The spokesman assured Nigerians that security agencies in the country would continue to remain focused and committed.

“The attention of security agencies should be drawn to any observed unusual movements or actions by groups or individuals in your neighbourhoods,” he said.