The National Security Council has an alarm that weapons were being stockpiled by certain elements for the aftermath of the 2019 general elections.
The meeting of the National Security Council presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday raised security concern over post-election violence and stockpiling of weapons by desperate politicians across the country.
This was revealed to newsmen in a statement by the Minister of Defence, retired Brig. Mansur Dan-Ali, after the meeting, which was held behind closed door at the Presidential Villa, Abuja;
According to the minister;
“The meeting also discussed attempt to put pressure on electoral body by some notable personalities through demonstrations which was brought under control by combine efforts of security agencies to avoid being hijacked by hoodlums or armed bandits.
Another area of security concern includes post-election violence, as desperate politicians may whip up ethno-religious sentiments to create security situation in the country.
Also of concern is the proliferation and stockpiling of weapons by some disgruntled elements with a desire to take laws into their hands at the slightest opportunity.”
The minister further revealed that the council resolved to deploy security agencies to various states across the federation to ensure the peaceful conduct of the elections.
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Dan-Ali said the deployment of security agencies would help in dousing tension caused by the outcome of the recent party primaries across the country and the activities of some desperate persons to sabotage the electoral process.
According to the minister, the security council further charged the security agencies to make efforts to ensure that the 2019 elections remained hitch free.
The minister stated that the security council finally hammered on the need for continuous sensitisation of the public by the National Orientation Agency (NOA) and regular meetings of relevant stakeholders including INEC, international/local observers as well as the media ahead of the general elections.