The Independent National Electoral Commission has developed a comprehensive security strategy with supporting plans and procedures.
This followed the conduct of an initial nationwide security vulnerability assessment which brought to the fore peculiar security challenges in states of the federation.
Some of the threats identified include urban criminality and violent crimes made up of kidnapping, cultism, ritual killings, robberies, disasters and emergencies, smuggling, illegal bunkering, and, lately, the illegal importation of small arms.
Our correspondent gathered in Abuja, on Sunday that details of the INEC security strategy was being kept under wraps because of its sensitive nature.
But INEC sources confided in THE PUNCH that the strategy was developed with input from the armed services, the State Security Service and the Police.
The assessment identified cross boarder security threats in Taraba, Adamawa, Borno, Katsina, Sokoto, Jigawa,Yobe and Kebbi states.
These states share international borders with Cameroon, Benin and Niger Republics, while coastal states such as Lagos and Rivers are said to pose a challenge because of their closeness to the Atlantic Ocean. Lagos was singled out as a high risk for ritual killings in the run up to the elections.
Benue, Kogi, Ondo, Niger, the Federal Capital Territory, Kaduna, Abia and Akwa Ibom were identified as having kidnappings as their greatest security threat.
Northern states of Katsina, Sokoto, Kano, Bauchi, Gombe, Plateau, Borno, Kaduna and Yobe topped the chart of states where sectarian violence could pose a major challenge.
Source:Punch
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