NSA: Security agencies will be held responsible for infractions during elections

Babagana Monguno, national security adviser (NSA), says security agencies would be held responsible for any infraction committed during the general election.

Monguno said this during a meeting with security chiefs in Abuja on Tuesday.

He said forthcoming elections have to be conducted in a way that will portray Nigeria in a positive light, adding that excuses will not be tolerated for misdemeanor in the course of their duty.

He said there would be an election security seminar to streamline all areas that may hinder the success of the elections.

“The forthcoming election, especially the 2019 elections, have to be conducted in a manner that not only the wider Nigeria society but indeed the international community would perceive us in a very positive light,” he said.

“Excuses will not be tolerated. It is assumed that we are all trained personnel and it is by virtue of this that we have sufficient training that we will be giving this assignment, for we are representing our various organisations. There will be full enforcement of all electoral laws.

“In terms of capacity building, it is our intention to continue to build on whatever we received from our fore bearer and there would be an election security management seminar which has been slated for 11th October, which will be open by the president .

“The idea is for us to streamline all the areas that need to be looked into and to prepare a training session for all security operatives who will provide security during election.

“Of course there are code of conduct for all security agencies and we will all be held responsible for any infraction during election . It is also important for us to understand that operating outside the confines of legality or legitimacy will be viewed very seriously”