National Security Adviser (NSA) Babagana Monguno has warned political parties and thugs against violence ahead of the 2023 election.
Monguno sounded the warning at an emergency security meeting organized by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abuja on Friday, where he vowed to deal with troublemakers next year under the law.
The NSA warning follows recent raids on INEC offices in Ogun and Osun states, in which election materials including 65,000 Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) were destroyed.
He revealed that security agents in 22 states reported 52 cases of election violence last month.
He noted that President Muhammadu Buhari had instructed security agencies to ensure violence-free elections next year.
Also read: Group asks INEC to ban parties, candidates involved in election violence
“We all know the president, for his part, is committed to preserving and preserving democracy. That’s what people want,” Mongono said.
“The President has also directed, through me, all operational intelligence and law enforcement agencies to ensure that the 2023 elections are held in an atmosphere free of any hostility.
“The President is very pleased with the election results in Anambra, Ekiti and Osun and he wants to repeat that performance.
“Now, I want to assure you that the security agencies have been given clear instructions to deal with any situation where any rogue group or agency decides to engage in what we consider to be fundamentally criminal behaviour.”
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