NSA accuses politicians of sponsoring thugs, vows to crush perpetrators

From Romanus Ugwu, Abuja

National Security Adviser (NSA), Babagana Monguno, has accused political actors of sponsoring thugs to disrupt the Saturday’s presidential and National Assembly election.

 Monguno who spoke against the backdrop of escalating violent protests in some parts of the country during a meeting of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) in Abuja yesterday, warned that security and intelligence agencies were ready to deal decisively with any element bent on disrupting the election.

Represented by Deputy Director in the agency, Sanusi Galadima, the NSA advised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure the presidential candidates uphold their commitment to peaceful behaviour in the upcoming election during the last round of the National Peace Accord.

“The NSA however observed with serious concern the escalation of violent electioneering campaign across the country. This is despite the peace accord endorsed by all the presidential flagbearers.

“This ugly trend is predicated largely on the attitude of political actors, their sponsored thugs and other unpatriotic elements through unguarded utterances.

“Apparently, the concerted efforts of intelligent agencies to effectively neutralise the prevailing security situation and challenges associated with the insurgency, terrorism, kidnapping, banditry, separatist agitations, communal conflicts among others 

“It is instructive to also state that government is very much aware of the plot by domestic elements and their external collaborators to exploit the current socio-economic climate in the country occasioned by well-intended government policies to ignite unrest before, during and after the election. To this end, and keeping in with Mr. President’s commitment to ensure a peaceful transition of political power to a democratically elected next president through free, fair and credible election.

“Security agencies have been changed to ensure a robust deployment to deal decisively with any individual, or group no matter how highly placed.”