The Department of State Services (DSS) has assured of its commitment to the conduct of the general elections with the Presidential and National Assembly polls on Saturday.
It said it had made several arrests and seized weapons that would be inimical to the conduct of the election in various states.
It pledged its neutrality, professionalism and good conduct of its personnel to the democratic process.
Spokesman of the Service, Dr Peter Afunanya, made this known in a statement he said was presented during the joint security press briefing on the 2023 general elections at the Defence Headquarters in Abuja.
The statement reads: “As you are aware, the general elections will commence on 25th February, 2023-just a few hours from now. The DSS assures of its commitment to a peace
It pledged its neutrality, professionalism and good conduct of its personnel to the democratic process.
Spokesman of the Service, Dr Peter Afunanya, made this known in a statement he said was presented during the joint security press briefing on the 2023 general elections at the Defence Headquarters in Abuja.
The statement reads: “As you are aware, the general elections will commence on 25th February, 2023-just a few hours from now. The DSS assures of its commitment to a peaceful exercise. It pledges its neutrality, professionalism and good conduct of its personnel to the democratic process. It will continue to discharge its mandate of disseminating timely, actionable and proactive intelligence necessary for tactical, operational and strategic decisions even beyond the elections.
“Also, it will partner with other sister security and law enforcement agencies; all levels and arms of Government and indeed all stakeholders particularly the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and relevant Non-Governmental and Civil Society Organisations to ensure a hitch free electoral exercise. In this regard, we call on all citizens and residents to be law abiding before, during and after the elections. Eligible voters are enjoined to cast their votes without any form of violence and also maintain the peace after that.
“To achieve the desired environment for the elections, the Service engaged in proactive and intelligence-led operations across the States. For instance, on 22nd February, 2023, the Service conducted a legally backed search operation on a property along Airport Road, Nasarawa LGA, Kano State. During the operation, it recovered dangerous weapons including a gun, daggers, swords, jack-knives from the said building. Pictures are attached herein:
“Therefore, the accusation that the Service intimidated a particular political party in that State is untrue; otherwise, how come those weapons were found there? Are those objects of violence campaign materials? Whether in Kano or elsewhere, the DSS has provided equal opportunities for all political parties to engage in their lawful activities. We can say this without any form of contradictions or equivocations
