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A former Director of the Department of State Services (DSS), Mr Mike Ejiofor, has warned security agencies to be wary of politically-induced security challenges as the 2019 general elections approach.
Ejiofor raised the concern on Thursday while appearing on Channels TV, Politics Today, less than 24 hours after the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, called for the creation of state police.
Vice President Osinbajo had noted at a National Assembly Security Summit in Abuja that state policing system was the only way to go, in the wake of the security challenges in the country.
He had also called for the strengthening of the Nigeria Police Force and proposed that the current number of its personnel be tripled.
However, the erstwhile DSS boss held the view that the government and citizens must do ‘things right’ in order to avoid any form of post-election violence in 2019.
“Don’t forget that elections are by the corner, we are bound to have politically-induced security challenges.
“These are going to come up but if we don’t do things right now, we are going to have problems in 2019,” he said.
Ejiofor, on his part, commended the statement as timely in view of the present security challenges, especially the incessant killings by suspected herdsmen.
He said: “There would not have been a better time for the Vice President to make this statement on behalf of (the Federal) Government that we have a lot of security challenges.”
Recounting his experience while in service, the former DSS boss described the creation of state police and community policing as germane issues critical in addressing the nation’s insecurity.
However, he warned that key players involved in such task must avoid playing politics so as to avoid putting the lives of the precious citizens to risks.
Ejiofor further called for the proper handling of the attacks allegedly perpetrated by suspected herdsmen in some parts of the country which have led many to their early graves and displaced others.
He also decried the reported feud between the Benue State government and the Federal Government as very unfortunate.
The security expert then called on the Federal Government to urgently address the issues, especially the recent disagreement between Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom and the Inspector General of Police, Mr Ibrahim Idris.
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