The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) nationwide offices will henceforth be guarded by soldiers, operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), and Civil Defence Corps officers.
GoldenNewsNg reports that this was confirmed by the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba during a meeting with the chairmen of political parties at the Force headquarters in Abuja, on Thursday.
The Police boss also stated that police officers and personnel of the Federal Fire Service have been sent to protect INEC assets across the country.
Baba asserted that the deployment was as a result of the attacks on the Ogun and Osun State offices of the electoral agency last week and a series of political violence in Borno, Kaduna, and Zamfara states.
He said security agencies have been directed to enhance intelligence gathering, sharing, and utilisation of the information to stem acts of political violence in the country.
Baba added that security operatives will take decisive lawful action against purveyors of hate speech, incitement to violence, mobilization of thugs, and other violations.
He said, “On our part, and as an outcome of the ICCES meeting, the Nigeria Police Force working in collaboration with other security agencies have resolved to enhance intelligence gathering, share and utilise same to stem acts of political violence; upscale the deployment of security teams to all INEC assets and facilities nationwide with teams drawn from the police, Nigerian Army, Department of State Services, Nigeria Civil and Security Defence Corps and the Federal Fire Service to take decisive lawful action against purveyors of hate speech, incitement to violence, mobilisation of thugs and other violations, including the prompt arrest, investigation, and prosecution of offenders in line with the provisions of Sections 92 and 93 of the Electoral Act 2022 as amended.”
The IGP revealed that suspects have been arrested in connection with the political violence which has assumed an increasing dimension in recent weeks.
Baba further declared that those already arrested would face prosecution.
