Jacob Segun Olatunji, Abuja - 05.02.2007

Presidency sources told the Nigerian Tribune on Sunday in Abuja that the action became necessary following unfavourable security reports across the states on the activities of some politicians and ethnic militia groups allegedly threatening to disrupt the forthcoming general election.

The source named the states already marked out as operational centres as Lagos, Oyo, Ogun, Enugu, Anambra, Abia, Rivers, Bayelsa, Edo, Kano, Kaduna, Plateau, Bauchi and Abuja.

Public buildings and installations were also said to have been marked for attacks.

The source revealed that those behind the plot had also reportedly singled out the national headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abuja and its state and local government offices for attack should certain candidates either be fielded or disqualified by the commission from the elections.

Nigerian Tribune learnt that the police high command had directed all the state police commissioners to put their commands on red alert while situation reports in the states should be forwarded to the force headquarters, Abuja, on daily basis.

Apart from this, the commissioners of police have also been directed to meet with all stakeholders, including leaders of the various political parties and leaders of thought in their respective states on the need for peace to reign.

The commissioners of police are also expected to monitor the activities of all political parties, aspirants, candidates, politicians and various interest groups and report same to the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Sunday Ehindero.

Mr. Ehindero had warned against any lapses from any of the state commands as this would be viewed as an act of disloyalty to the Federal Government.

A similar directive had also been sent out by the heads of other security agencies such as the State Security Services (SSS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), while both the Nigeria Customs Service (NSC) and the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) had also been placed on similar alert at the nation’s air, land and sea borders.

Only last week, the police impounded seven trailer-load of assorted weapons which had been moved to Abuja for further investigation.