The National Security Council (NSC) has taken measures to stem post election violence in the 2019 general elections.
The minister of Defence, Manir Dan Ali, who briefed news men shortly after a meeting of the Council, headed by President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja today, Thursday, said that one of the area which the Council looked into and is concerned about is the 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 council called for the concerted efforts of all security agencies to ensure that 2019 elections are hitch free and the need for continuous sensitization of the public by National Orientation Agency (NOA) and regular meetings of relevant stakeholders including INEC, international/ local observers and the media ahead of the elections.”
The minister said that the Council recommended deployment of security agencies to states to enable the elections to be conducted peacefully and to further doused tension created by the outcome of the political parties’ primaries and some desperate persons to sabotage the electoral process.
“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 been hijacked by hoodlums and armed bandits.”
