President buhari holds meeting with security chiefs over free and fair election (2019).

…Worries over proliferation, stockpiling of weapons
President Muhammadu Buhari has met with the security chiefs and called for concerted efforts of all security agencies to ensure that the 2019 general election is hitch free.

The President gave the charge on Thursday during the National Security Council held at the State House, Abuja.

He expressed concerned on the areas of post- election violence, noting that desperate politicians may whip up ethno- religious sentiments to create security situation in the country.

The council said that there was an attempt to put pressure on electoral body by some notable personalities through demonstrations which was brought under control by combined efforts of security agencies to avoid been hijacked by hoodlums and armed bandits.

“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 President said.

The Security 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.

Buhari emphasised on the need for continuous sensitisation 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 security chiefs were led to the meeting by the Minister of Defence, Brigadier General Mansur Dan-Ali (rtd).

But, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Abayomi Olonisakin, was absent.

Security chiefs who attended the meeting include the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai; Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok Ekwe Ibas; and Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar.

Also present were the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Ibrahim Idris, and the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Mr. Yusuf Bichi, among others.

Government officials also in attendance were the Chief of Staff to the President, Mallam Abba Kyari; Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr. Boss Mustapha; and the National Security Adviser, Major General Babagana Monguno (rtd).