General elections: FG warns foreigners over fraud

The Federal Government has revealed that security agencies have been fully mobilised to fish out foreigners planning to truncate the forthcoming general elections, warning that identification centres have been set up to fish out such foreigners.

The Minister of Interior, Mr. Abba Moro, who made the disclosure during a media parley in Abuja, further revealed that the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) Special Border Corps have been fully mobilised to go after fraudulent foreigners planning to impersonate for the election.

While reacting to the arrest of foreigners in possession of Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs), the minister said:

“The arrest of foreigners in possession of PVCs is one in the series of steps this government has taken to ensure that there is no breach of electoral regulations. The police and all other security agencies have been sufficiently mobilised to ensure that there is no violation of electoral guidelines including foreigners possessing PVCs and use of same.

Comrade Moro also used the opportunity to relay the Federal Government’s appeal to Nigerians embarking on trip for the general elections, stressing that adequate security arrangement had been made to protect Nigerians in every part of the country.

“We are concerned about the hype accompanying the forthcoming election. Information available to us indicates that some Nigerians are travelling out of some states other than their states of origin in panic. But we want to assure Nigerians that this government is determined to ensure adequate peace and security of the lives and property of Nigerians wherever they reside or find themselves.

“We want to say that consistent with Mr. President’s transformation agenda, the Federal Government will ensure that adequate security will be provided to ensure that every Nigerian discharges their civic responsibility of exercising their franchise.

“The Nigeria Police has been sufficiently mobilised, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps has gotten sufficient orientation to deliver on their mandate of ensuring civil tranquillity before, during and after the elections. This government has not hesitated in deploying all available human and material resources to ensure peace across the country,” he assured.

Speaking further, he said: “Despite the challenges we face in some parts of the country, this government is ever determined now more than ever before to ensure that there is peace in this country. This government has not left any Nigerian in doubt about its determination to ensure free, credible and transparent elections.

“The 2015 election will not be an exception and I can assure you that in spite of the anxiety that trailed the campaigns, Nigerians should not worry as far as security is concerned. Arrangements are in place especially in terms of security.

The anxiety expressed in some quarters on whether peace will prevail in the country during the election is unwarranted.

“Government is ready to provide the necessary enabling environment. We also want to appeal to Nigerians to be law abiding and do everything possible to ensure that Nigeria outlives the elections,” he added.