Elections: FG uncovers plot by suicide bombers to hit voting centres

The Federal Government Thursday, said intelligence reports at its disposal, indicate that some “unscrupulous Nigerians”, have concluded plans to obtain, buy or steal Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) of female voters, with a view to surrendering them to female suicide bombers, who will blow themselves up at polling centres.

The disclosure was made at the regular security briefing in Abuja, by the Coordinator of the National Information Centre (NIC) and Director General of National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mr. Mike Omeri. Continue...

This came as the Department of State Services (DSS), said it had brought the leader of the Niger Delta Peoples Volunteer Force (NDPVF), Alhaji Mujaheed Asari-Dokubo, a couple of times to its office.

While alerting the public of possible invasion of polling centres by female suicide bombers, Omeri advised on the need for all to be vigilant, and guard their PVCs jealously.

“Recent intelligence reports indicate that some unscrupulous Nigerians have perfected plans to surreptitiously collect, buy or steal the Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) of female voters, handover same to female suicide bombers and create access for them into polling centres where they will detonate bombs and kill unsuspecting voters.

“By this information, therefore, Nigerians, especially female voters, are warned to remain vigilant and also jealously guard and preserve their PVCs to avoid the possibility of their being lost to these bad elements who will put them to untoward uses,” he stated.

It will be recalled that the Federal Government had, last week, raised a similar alarm of plots by Boko Haram, to use itinerant shoemakers, goats, cows and camels, to attack crowded places like churches, mosques, markets and other public places.

On the 7, 500 African Union (AU)-backed multinational force to decimate Boko Haran, Omeri clarified that: “the…multinational force is to be composed of mainly troops from countries in the Lake Chad Basin Commission areas.

“The modalities for the operationalization of this force are being worked out at a tactical summit which started today in the Republic of Cameroon.

“In addition, the Chadian Chief of Defence Staff is currently in Nigeria to consolidate discussions on trans-border operations with his Nigerian counterpart.”

Meanwhile, the DSS Thursday, said contrary to insinuations, it had brought Asar-Dokubo to its office a couple of times, in respect of perceived inflammatory comments.

Responding to a question on why the secret service has yet to invite the ex-militant leader, in view of its earlier warning against comments that threaten the peace, DSS’ Spokesperson, Mrs. Marilyn Ogar, who is a member of the briefing team, said: “First of all, whatever is the operational procedure that we take after we have issued out warnings; we do not make them public.

“And I want you to recollect that Asari Dokubo has been brought into the office a couple of times.”