TheCable

Babagana Monguno, national security adviser (NSA), has asked security operatives to exhibit professionalism and restraint against provocation by “trouble makers” during the Anambra governorship election.

Monguno gave the advice while briefing journalists after a general security appraisal committee meeting with service chiefs and heads of other agencies on Tuesday.

He warned those planning to cause trouble during the election to have a rethink, adding that the Anambra election will witness the joint deployment of all security operatives across the state.

“Mr President has been briefed on efforts to ensure a peaceful election without destruction lives and property,” he said.

“Our intentions, our aspirations are to see that the elections do not result in anything that is unwanted; any bloodshed, any violence, intimidation, coercion or even terrorising the people of Anambra.

“It is their fundamental right to vote and choose whoever they want as their governor and they should not be denied that right.”

He said the voters should not be put in a situation whereby they are reluctant to come out and vote.

“Ours is to instill confidence in the entire south-east particularly in Anambra state to make sure that nothing happens to those people who will come out to vote,” he said.

“The security agencies have also been told to exhibit the highest level of professionalism, self-restraint, discipline and adherence to what is written in the statute.

“They must make sure that they do not allow themselves to be provoked.

“This is because we have made them understand that they owe themselves the responsibility to stay alive.

“So they are not going to go there and sit, allow themselves to be harmed but at the same time, they will have to work together with the community, the political leadership to ensure that nothing theatrical takes place.

“We have been assured by the commissioner of police and the armed forces have put everything in place to be the second layer to make sure that lives are not lost.”

On his part, Usman Baba, inspector-general of police (IGP), allayed the people’s fear and urged them to come out to exercise their civic rights on the election day.

He assured them that the police would behave in conformity with the laws of the land and ensure that the people of the state were protected.