The National Security Adviser, Maj- Gen Babagana Monguno, has cautioned politicians in the country not to arm thugs to scuttled the peaceful process of the 2019 general elections.
Monguno said that reports reaching the security forces revealed that some politicians are planning to use bandits and terrorists to cause violence in the forthcoming general elections.
The NSA stated this at a meeting he had with the Nigerian Governors’ Forum in Abuja on Tuesday.
According to the NSA, “Reports reaching me have revealed that some individuals that are uncertain of their fate in the elections are plotting to precipitate widespread violence aimed at scuttling the conduct of the polls.
“Their strategy is to cause crises that could snowball into endless crises for the Government and citizens. There are indications that these unscrupulous elements are already mobilising merchants of violence, including armed bandits and terrorists to orchestrate violence during the elections in several states of the Federation.
While stating that the plots to cause mayhem in the country during the general elections have been uncovered by security forces in the country he pointed out that security agencies would not spare efforts in dealing appropriately with any act that can destabilise the nation and paint the country as a whole in bad light.
While the federal government has continued to assure Nigerians and the international communities of hitch free election, the major political parties in the country have accused each other of planning to disrupt the election.
”Your Excellencies,” he said, “you are more aware than I am that no individual or group is greater or more important than Nigeria. Accordingly, no Individual or group’s ambition is worth the loss of life of any Nigerian or our national cohesion. In this regard, we owe Nigerians the duty to protect and preserve their lives and property regardless of our individual or group aspirations.”
