National Security Adviser Promises to Arrest Attackers of INEC Office in Ogun

Paschal Emeka, Abuja

The National Security Adviser, NSA, Major General Babagana Munguno (ret’d.) has disclosed that security agencies were currently on the trail of arsonists who burnt down the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Office in Ogun state.

He vowed that no amount of security threats will stop the 2023 general elections from taking place as planned as President Muhammadu Buhari has pledged to deliver a free, fair and transparent election.

Recall that some suspected hoodlums, had recently, set on fire the INEC office at Iyana Mortuary lll in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.

Trouble was said to have started when the hoodlums, numbering less than ten reportedly scaled the perimeter fence into the premises and set the INEC building on fire from the backyard.

They were alleged to have invaded the premises, soaked loaves of bread with petrol and thrown them into the building at different angles to light up the INEC office.

It was also gathered that a security guard at the facility simply identified as Azeez Hamzat, had made a distress call to the police around 1 am on that fateful day alerting them of the fire incident.

Policemen from Ibara Division were quickly mobilized to the scene and later contacted men of fire service in the state who raced to the scene to put out the fire.

It was also learnt that the store, the Registration Area Officer’s office, and the conference room were affected by the inferno.

On politicians stifling their opponents’ campaign activities, Munguno warned state governors using thugs to prevent the opposition from mounting campaign materials in their domains to desist from the act as security agencies will soon come after them as well.

The NSA gave the warning when he appeared at the Ministerial Media Briefing organized by the Presidential Communications Team at the Presidential Villa Abuja on Thursday.

According to the NSA, when law enforcement agencies begin their manhunt, there will be no hiding place for the perpetrators.

Monguno, who was reacting to reports of state governors implementing policies that prevent the presence of opposition campaign materials in their states, blamed the action on their inferiority complex.

He further said that politicians hiring thugs do not believe in themselves, warning that any person that engages in any unpalatable activity would be dealt with.

While cautioning the governors to restrain their thugs, he said that President Muhammadu Buhari has given clear directives that the 2023 election must be free, fair and credible.