Ahead of the general elections, the Department of State Services, DSS, Monday forewarned prospective lawbreakers to steer clear acts capable of undermining national security.
It also said that it would not stand idly and watch miscreants and mischief makers bring avoidable chaos and disorder upon the nation.
DSS spokesman, Peter Afunanya said this through a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja.
Afunanya added, “The Service commits itself to the provision of adequate security throughout the period of the electoral process.
“DSS enjoins all stakeholders – politicians, citizens, voters, observers, electoral officers, the media, Civil Society Organizations and security operatives to be law abiding and observe the rules of engagement as doing so is germane to the success of the exercise.
“Politicians and the youth are expected to shun all acts of violence the same way observers are urged to keep to the fundamentals and principles of election monitoring as allowed by law and global best practice.
“Without doubt, the Electoral Act is clear on the roles of stakeholders.
“The common aim of all and sundry should be for Nigeria to hold successful elections that will be adjudged free, fair, transparent and credible and accepted nationally and internationally.
“The Service is determined to identify and arrest criminals and their collaborators whose activities are counter to the national objective of achieving peaceful and orderly elections.
“Everyone is urged to conduct themselves properly before, during and after the elections and avoid actions that may cause breakdown of law and order.
“The Service will not condone fake news, incendiary or hate speeches designed to whip up dangerous ethnic, religious and/or political sentiments capable of stoking the embers of violence
“On its part, the DSS will professionally discharge its statutory mandate which, among others, is to detect and prevent threats and crimes against the internal security of Nigeria”.
DSS, however, advised Nigerians and residents to be vigilant and promptly report to security and law enforcement agencies nearest to them for deserved interventions, unusual activities or movements likely to undermine the elections.
It, therefore, established the following telephone lines and e-mail address (07055655591; 09030002189 and dsspr@dss.gov.ng) for immediate contact.
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