The Department of State Security, DSS, has threatened to arrest and
\nprosecute anyone bent on causing chaos during and after the 2019 General
\nelections, warning that fake news peddlers would also not be spared.<\/p>\n
A statement signed by Peter Afunaya, spokesman of DSS, said while the
\nsecret police is determined to provide adequate security throughout the
\nelection period, it would not hesitate to apply the full weight of the law
\non anyone who attempts to derail the peaceful process of the elections.<\/p>\n
Below is the full statement sent to Pointblanknews.com<\/p>\n
DSS COMMITS TO PROVISION OF ADEQUATE SECURITY THROUGHOUT THE ELECTORAL
\nPROCESS<\/p>\n
As Nigerians go to the polls to elect their leaders at the national and
\nstate levels, the Department of State Services (DSS) enjoins all
\nstakeholders \u2013 politicians, citizens, voters, observers, electoral
\nofficers, the media, Civil Society Organizations and security operatives
\nto be law abiding and observe the rules of engagement as doing so is
\ngermane to the success of the exercise. The Service commits itself to the
\nprovision of adequate security throughout the period of the electoral
\nprocess.<\/p>\n
2. Politicians and the youth are expected to shun all acts of violence the
\nsame way observers are urged to keep to the fundamentals and principles of
\nelection monitoring as allowed by law and global best practice. Without
\ndoubt, the Electoral Act is clear on the roles of stakeholders. The common
\naim of all and sundry should be for Nigeria to hold successful elections
\nthat will be adjudged free, fair, transparent and credible and accepted
\nnationally and internationally. Everyone is urged to conduct themselves
\nproperly before, during and after the elections and avoid actions that may
\ncause breakdown of law and order.<\/p>\n
3. On its part, the DSS will professionally discharge its statutory
\nmandate which, among others, is to detect and prevent threats and crimes
\nagainst the internal security of Nigeria. Also, it will appropriately
\nengage stakeholders. This is for the protection and success of the
\nelections. Therefore, ensuring security that will make the electoral
\nprocess noble and acceptable to participants and their supporters is
\nuppermost to the Service. In this regard, the Service is determined to
\nidentify and arrest criminals and their collaborators whose activities are
\ncounter to the national objective of achieving peaceful and orderly
\nelections.<\/p>\n
4. Similarly, the Service will not condone fake news, incendiary or hate
\nspeeches designed to whip up dangerous ethnic, religious and\/or political
\nsentiments capable of stoking the embers of violence. Consequently,
\nprospective law breakers are forewarned to steer clear of acts capable of
\nundermining national security and stability. The Service will, however,
\nnot stand idly and watch miscreants and mischief makers bring avoidable
\nchaos and disorder upon the nation.<\/p>\n
5. Furthermore, the public is implored to support security agencies and
\nthe Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to undertake violence
\nfree elections. In the same vein, law abiding citizens and residents are
\nentreated to timely avail these agencies information regarding suspected
\nthuggery, theft of electoral materials, violence of any dimensions and
\nother plans that will bring our democratic journey to question.<\/p>\n