DSS Operative
2019
DSS Operative
2019 Elections: DSS Warns Fake News
Peddlers
DSS COMMITS TO PROVISION OF ADEQUATE SECURITY THROUGHOUT THE
ELECTORAL PROCESS
As Nigerians go to the polls to elect their leaders at the
national and state levels, the Department of State Services (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.
The Service commits itself to the provision of adequate security
throughout the period of the electoral process.
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. Everyone
is urged to conduct themselves properly before, during and after
the elections and avoid actions that may cause breakdown of law and
order.
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.
Also, it will appropriately engage stakeholders. This is for the
protection and success of the elections. Therefore, ensuring
security that will make the electoral process noble and acceptable
to participants and their supporters is uppermost to the Service.
In this regard, 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.
Similarly, 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.
Consequently, prospective law breakers are forewarned to steer
clear of acts capable of undermining national security and
stability. The Service will, however, not stand idly and watch
miscreants and mischief makers bring avoidable chaos and disorder
upon the nation.
Furthermore, the public is implored to support security agencies
and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to
undertake violence free elections. In the same vein, law abiding
citizens and residents are entreated to timely avail these agencies
information regarding suspected thuggery, theft of electoral
materials, violence of any dimensions and other plans that will
bring our democratic journey to question.
Once again, the DSS encourages all citizens to responsibly
exercise their civic duties without fear as security measures have
been put in place for the safety of lives and property. However,
Nigerians and, indeed, residents are advised 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.
For the avoidance of doubt, the following telephone lines and
e-mail address (07055655591; 09030002189 and dsspr@dss.gov.ng) can
be used to reach the Service during the period under reference.
Peter AFUNANYA
Public Relations Officer,
Department of State Services,
National Headquarters,
Abuja
11th February, 2019